The Islamic State is rapidly losing the territory and funding it needs to conserve operations, according to the latest IHS Markit report.
The Islamic State has lost control of over two thirds of its land since it began developing its caliphate in Syria and Iraq over three years ago. Gross revenue has also plunged 80 percent.
The Islamic State currently spans an estimated 36,200 square kilometers, approximately the same size as Maryland. It controlled 60,400 square kilometers as recently as January and more than 90,800 square kilometers at the beginning of 2015.
The most notable caliphate defeats have come in Syria and Iraq. The Pentagon-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have occupied Raqqa, the ISIS “capital” of Syria. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose oil & gas have long funded ISIS operations, is moving east toward Deir al-Zour.