Keen to learn but short on time? Get to grips with the history of the Islamic State in next to no time with this concise guide.

50Minutes.com provides a clear and engaging analysis of the history of the Islamic State. The brutal terror attacks in Paris in 2015 sent shockwaves across Europe. The group which claimed responsibility for them, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, has been active since 2006 and seeks to impose its radical and distorted version of Islam across the Middle East. The international coalition established to combat the organisation has made some significant advances, but the fight against fundamentalism is still far from over.

In just 50 minutes you will:

• Understand the history of the Islamic State and the events leading up to its foundation, including colonial rule and the regime of Saddam Hussein

• Learn about the key figures in the organisation, including current leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

• Evaluate the successes and failures of the coalition fighting against the Islamic State

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