After the Islamic State captured the Iraqi city of Mosul in June 2014 and announced the creation of a global caliphate, politicians, political scientists and journalists from different countries asked questions: where did this group come from and what are its true goals? Until now, few can give clear answers to them. Meanwhile, today IS has become one of the most dangerous organizations in the history of mankind and, having erased the borders of states, has taken control of a territory comparable in area to Great Britain. Mass executions, ethnic cleansing, destruction of historical monuments, the official revival of slavery - this list of her crimes is far from complete. Modern civilization is facing a new global threat. To stop it, you need to know exactly what it is. Journalists Michael Weiss and Hassan Hassan have been reporting from Syria and Iraq for years. Their book is based on personal experience and dozens of interviews with former US military and intelligence officials, Western diplomats, Syrian and Iraqi human rights activists, IS militants, illegal agents, and ordinary residents of the region.