But increasingly, it's the idea of Isis, rather than the group's control of any territory, that has taken on greater significance. Last week, to mark the two-year anniversary of its self-declared caliphate, Isis created a chart showing its influence, stretching from the moderate control it claims in the Philippines to a "covert" presence in France, with 15 other countries in between. Nevertheless, the group apparently remains rooted enough that it recently issued its own caliphate dinar currency, embossed with the words Islamic State. We fight here, while our goal is Rome," Zarqawi famously said, in a line frequently cited by Isis' leadership. Turkish officials have pointed blame at Isis for Tuesday's gun and bomb spree at Ataturk International Airport, which left 45 people dead including 19 foreigners.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 04, 2016 17:00 UTC