An Inside Report On Is

[naomi24]

Not a question, but I thought this might be of interest.

A German author given unprecedented access to territory controlled by Islamic State (IS), has told the BBC that IS is stronger, more brutal and harder to confront than he had expected.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30585407

[jim360]

In that case let us hope that his expectations were too low.

[naomi24]

Did you watch the video?

[jim360]

Yes, I made sure to before commenting.

[BlackadderV]

He took a risk going there...

[237SJ]

He`s very brave going anywhere near there. I know I wouldn`t. I do think the reporting is something of a progaganda coup for IS though - a chance to showcase their state.

[naomi24]

I was always under the impression that 'showcasing' was intended to impress. This doesn't.

[Gromit]

Burying our heads in the sand a pretending that the Islamic State is not a problem and that we do not need to confront it, is a terrible mistake.

The appeasers who say we shouldn't get involved because they are not doung us any harm, are in for a ride awakening.

[jno]

writers given access to the Soviet Union in the early days (Shaw, for instance) reported that it was doing wonderfully and was the society of the future.

That seems to be the case here - as the reporter says, they wanted to give the impression that the regime was working. It appears that this is true, though it also appears from the BBC's own interviews that not everyone likes it. I don't know what the reporter expected, but I can't say that anything there seems like a huge surprise.

[naomi24]

It didn't surprise me either - but it might enlighten some.

[janbee]

A very brave man. The enemy is ALWAYS defeated. They will be defeated too.

[youngmafbog]

//The enemy is ALWAYS defeated//

Well that depends on the side you are on !

After all they believe you and I (the infidel) are the enemy.

I agree totally with Gromit on this.

[ichkeria]

Bloke goes to Mosul and finds out that surprise surprise it's a brutal and fanatical regime.
He also finds that the people in charge want to give a positive impression that people are too scared to contradict publicly (but naturally do so anonymously)
Amazing.
But nonetheless interesting for the fact that he was actually brave enough to go.

[keyplus90]

No one is stronger than the law if it is applied properly. These people can be crushed within weeks if not days but intention should be there. However if the intention is to aid them then why would they be crushed?

[mushroom25]

//as the reporter says, they wanted to give the impression that the regime was working. It appears that this is true, //

I'm not sure that repeated lengthy outages of public utilities represents evidence of a thriving regime.