Unveiling the Dark Banner: The Influence and Attacks of the Islamic State

An American man inspired by ISIS drove into a New Year's crowd in New Orleans, killing 15. The attack highlights the ongoing influence of the Islamic State, despite the group's territorial decline. Experts observe its power as a brand, inspiring decentralized violence worldwide.

The FBI has recovered an Islamic State flag from a truck crash site in New Orleans' French Quarter, where a Texas man killed 15 during a New Year's celebration. The incident is fueling an investigation into the suspect's possible links with ISIS-inspired ideologies.

President Joe Biden disclosed that Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the attacker, had posted videos on social media aligning with the Islamic State vision mere hours before committing the atrocity. This event marks the deadliest ISIS-inspired act on U.S. soil in several years.

Although weakened, the Islamic State's brand power continues to inspire extremist activities globally. U.S. efforts to disrupt ISIS have been ongoing, yet the threat persists in the form of isolated violent acts incited by its ideology.

(With inputs from agencies.)