“Savvy” ISIS Will Overcome Cash Crunch & Come Back

By Leslie Ireland

The Hon. Leslie Ireland is the former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Intelligence and Analysis. She joined Treasury in 2010 after 25 years at CIA where she specialized in Iran, the Middle East and WMD. Ms. Ireland retired in November 2016 after more than 31 years in the Intelligence Community. Prior to joining the Treasury Department, from 2008-2010 Ms. Ireland served as daily intelligence briefer to President. As the first DNI Iran Mission Manager from 2005-2008, she served as the principal advisor to the DNI on Iran and was responsible for overseeing the intelligence process on Iran for the entire US government. Ms. Ireland is currently on the Board of Directors of Citigroup, Inc. and The Stimson Center. She is also a member of the Chubb Insurance Cyber Advisory Board, of Tapestry Network’s Cyber Risk Director Network and on the Board of Advisors of Cyber Florida. Ms. Ireland is the recipient of the Alexander Hamilton Award, the highest award bestowed by the Secretary of the Treasury, the Intelligence Community Seal Medallion, personally awarded by the DNI, the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal (2016 and 2008), and the CIA Intelligence Commendation Medal. She is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College and Georgetown University.

ISIS is rapidly losing territory across Syria and Iraq and, as a result, is suffering significant financial setbacks. Yet ISIS remains driven by its goal of establishing a physical caliphate. To acquire the necessary funds to maintain its bloody campaign, ISIS may turn to more traditional methods of terrorist financing, such as external donations, to fill its coffers. The Cipher Briefs Bennett Seftel spoke with Leslie Ireland, Cipher Brief expert and former assistant secretary of the treasury for intelligence and analysis, to discuss the challenging task of detecting ISIS intricate financial system and as well as the continuous threat posed by the group.

The Cipher Brief: With ISIS losing significant territory in Syria and Iraq, where will the group look to procure finances?

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