[odds]

Good points. I read an article yesterday the Peshmegra had said ISIS has different hardcore fighters who are Saudis, Qataris, Chechens, etc.. also have former Saddam loyalists among them. So obviously they aren't one group of people. Their official ideology is Salafi (not Wahabi). They are as you say, very well organised, media savvy, and brutal. I think they got their initial funds (before bank robbery in Iraq) through multiple sources. But they want to become self sufficient by taking over oil rich areas and refineries.

Also, I read yesterday that unlike AQ who primarily aim to gather supporters, especially among Sunnis, by trying to win their 'hearts & minds', ISIS just does it through sheer brutality, to gain terrain - they don't take prisoners.

[livius]

I think everything you have said is correct. I am following this on Twitter (#iraq) and it’s easy to realize that this attack is not “sectarian” but goes way beyond that.