The History of Hells Angels and Islamic State of Iraq and Syria

The History of Hells Angels and Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
Name
Institution
Hells Angels
The Hells Angels is a global motorcycle club, whose history is traced back to Fontana, where it was founded by Otto Freidli in 1948 (James, 2009). However, the exact origins of the modern day organization that is widely associated with criminal activities is still a mystery. This is because numerous motorcycle clubs using the title Hells Angels sprung up soon after World War Two. It is believed, however, that the group’s original members were World War Two veterans, and the popularity of motorcycles is attributed to the easy availability of cheap war surplus items. It is also believed that veterans returning home from the war could not settle in a peaceful environment, and were looking for some kind of fun and adventure. Joining the clubs gave them the opportunity for some action as they were involved in drinking, drug use, and violence. The title Hells Angels is borrowed from the names given to fighter squadrons during the WWI and World War 2. Over the years, as the group opened charters in different countries, its involvement in criminal and illegal activities increased. This included involvement in narcotics distribution, such as marijuana and methamphetamines (Dobyns & Johnson, 2009). The group was labeled as a terrorist group after a 21-month operation dubbed "Operation Black Biscuit" by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives unraveled the involvement of the group’s members in criminal and illegal activities.
The ISIS
The ISIS, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, is a jihadist militant organization active in Iraq and Syria. The groups styles itself as a Caliphate, and claims to be the religious and political authority over all Muslim nations. Its aim is to bring the Muslim world under one leadership led by a Caliph. Originally the group began as a coalition of Sunni insurgents, including the Islamic State of Iraqi, Mujahideen Shura Council, Al Qaeda in Iran, among others, whose objective was to establish a Sunni Islam nation (Ishaan, 2014). However, the group’s influence increased beyond Iraqi following its involvement in the Syrian war. Its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdai adopted extreme ideologies that included the persecution on non-Muslims and forcing Muslims to recognize him as the political and religious leader of the Muslim world (Bulos, 2014). Given its adoption of the harsh Wahhabist interpretation of Islamic teachings and involvement in brutal violence, the group is considered to more extreme than other jihadist movements, including Al Qaeda.