1. What is a sectarian conflict?
2. Is the conflict currently spreading in the Middle East region a ‘sectarian' conflict (Sunni vs Shi'a) or a ‘civil' conflict in which several regimes are engaged in a struggle for regional political and economic dominance?
3. How does the Islamic State shape its media output to appeal to women from the international Muslim community and the more conservative societies of Saudi Arabia and the gulf states?
4. There are approximately 550 western women who have actually moved to the Islamic State and taken up residence there. What are the reasons offered to explain their support of the Islamic State? Why are the western media and intelligence communities devoting so much attention to such a small number of individuals?