The process of writing this book began in June 2014 as I watched the latest incarnation of al Zarqawi’s armed organization advance across Iraq. With my agent, Diana Finch, and my publisher, Dan Simon of Seven Stories Press, I re-read Insurgent Iraq and, examining the materials it gathered, concluded that my theories had been correct. So we began working as events exploded into the international consciousness, turning the Islamic State into the new archenemy of the world. And as we go to press, the situation continues to evolve.
Special thanks go to journalist and friend Laura Passetti, who helped me in gathering information and data on the Islamic State; to Edith Champagne, who showed me just how advanced is the media campaign conducted by the Islamic State; to Francesca Borri, who opened my eyes about the Syrian conflict. Ria Julien, a friend and the editor of Insurgent Iraq, again agreed to edit The Islamist Phoenix; so a special thank you goes to her for making my English better and clearer.
As usual, my assistant Federico Bastiani has been a valuable support; without him I would not have completed this work in time. A special thank you goes to my sister-in-law, Claudia Gerson, and to my dearest friend, Bart Stevens, for reading the manuscript, not once but twice. To Sally Klein, for cooking and looking after me while I wrote; and to her beautiful grandchildren for making me smile.
Thank you to Steven and Eleonora Creaturo for lending me their home in East Quogue where I edited the first draft.
Without the staff at Seven Stories you would not be reading this book, and without the work of Silvia Stramenga, its many translations would not be available.
A special thank you goes to Luigi Bernabó, my Italian agent, who never doubted that it would be a success.
Thank you to my husband, my children, my mother, and my aunt, who are always very supportive; to my cousin Marina and Davide; to my friends who, with their usual dependability, have listened to my endless theories about the Islamic State.