12/26/15, by Natalie
Myers, punchingbagpost.com
Many
have called ISIS the wealthiest terror organization in the world, but exactly
how much money do they have? It is estimated that ISIS has a stash of around $2
billion, collected from taxing locals, kidnapping ransoms, stealing banking
funds, and of course, oil.
ISIS
is unlike many other terrorist groups that receive financing from wealthy
supporters, and instead have a diversified stream of revenue. This means that
even if the US was successful in shutting down one stream, there would be
several others to fuel ISIS. According to the Rand Corporation, ISIS was taking
in less than $1 million per month back in 2008, however this number rose
exponentially to around $1-3 million PER DAY in 2014.
Obama
has been criticized for not doing more to prevent the cash flow to ISIS,
especially refraining from bombing oil trucks because of the chance of killing
the civilian drivers, and because of the effect on global warming. Yes, that’s
right. Obama is more concerned about carbon emissions than defeating ISIS.
Despite
their diverse portfolio, the main source of cash comes from oil. Where does
this oil go? It is believed that ISIS ships the oil by truck to the porous
Turkish border, where it is sold to oil brokers. Many reports have suggested
that these oil brokers will then sell it to the regime of Bashar-al-Assad, even
though they are fighting his people in Syria!
Why
would a regime set on destroying ISIS support its financial gains by buying oil
from it? Although it may sound ridiculous, isn’t the US doing the same thing by
buying oil from countries like Saudia Arabia and Iraq?
When
looking at the top sources for US petroleum imports, Saudia Arabia lands the #2
spot, while Iraq is in fifth. Why do governments, including our own, feel the
need to purchase from and therefore finance these countries? It sounds like
Obama should be criticized for a lot more than just refusing to bomb oil
trucks.
http://punchingbagpost.com/how-does-isis-make-money
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