Understanding the Ruthlessness & Banality of ISIS (Longform)

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Rukmini Callimachi is a correspondent for The New York Times who covers the Islamic State (ISIS). In this two-part interview on the podcast Longform, Callimachi discusses how she ended up covering the terrorist organization, the relationships she has to form with members in order to secure information, and the unexpected things she's learned along the way. This interview is particularly interesting for her insights into the disturbing ruthlessness and relative banality of the organization, as they have been forced to tackle the pitfalls and trappings associated with building a de facto bureaucracy. Many of the mainstream conversations about ISIS are myopic and filtered through jingoistic, navel-gazing perspectives. Callimachi's analysis and consideration is uncommon as she highlights foundational truths regarding members and their adherents in a way that escapes many of the experts in mainstream media today. While this interview was conducted in early 2015, it remains wonderfully insightful and thought-provoking.

Part 1: https://longform.org/posts/longform-podcast-129-rukmini-callimachi-part-1
Part 2: https://longform.org/posts/longform-podcast-129-rukmini-callimachi-part-2

Additional Notes:
Rukmini Callimachi Twitter (@rcallimachi)

Episode Length: 2 hours total (Part 1 - 1 hr 8 min; Part 2 - 47 min)
Date: February 18, 2015 & February 19, 2015