Joby Warrick: The Rise of ISIS

When the government of Jordan granted amnesty to a group of political prisoners in 1999, it little realized that among them was Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a terrorist mastermind and future architect of an Islamist movement bent on dominating the Middle East. Pulitzer-Prize winning Washington Post reporter Joby Warrick recounts in Black Flags: The Rise of Isis how the strategic mistakes of Presidents Bush and Obama and the zeal of al-Zarqawi led to ISIS's control of huge swaths of Syria and Iraq. WBEZ host Jerome McDonnell joins Warrick in conversation.

Become a Member

Being a member of the Chicago Humanities Festival is especially meaningful during this unprecedented and challenging time. Your support keeps CHF alive as we adapt to our new digital format, and ensures our programming is free, accessible, and open to anyone online.

Make a Donation

Member and donor support drives 100% of our free digital programming. These inspiring and vital conversations are possible because of people like you. Thank you!