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Back to To the Point

To the Point

How Long Can the Islamic State Stay in Business?

The richest terrorist group in history is financed not just by smuggling oil and selling looted antiquities. It may get as much as a billion dollars a year from taxation on individuals and businesses subject to a system of brutal enforcement.

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By Warren Olney • Dec 10, 2015 • 34m Listen

The richest terrorist group in history is financed not just by smuggling oil and selling looted antiquities. It may get as much as a billion dollars a year from taxation on individuals and businesses subject to a system of brutal enforcement. While increased bombing may deplete oil revenues, beatings and even beheadings are taking a toll on formerly middle class people. We hear about a model of governance that could threaten the sustainability of the Islamic State from the inside.

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    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

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    Paul von Zielbauer

    Producer, 'To the Point'

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    Gideon Brower

    Independent Producer

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    Evan George

    Director of Content, News

  • KCRW placeholder

    Matthew Rosenberg

    New York Times

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    Yasser Alhaji

    Syrian journalist

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    Michael D. Weiss

    Daily Beast / The Interpreter

    NewsNationalPolitics
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