What will ISIS's growth in the oil business mean for us? Sophia Davison

     As we hear about various updates and recent changes to ISIS' forming prominence, if not in the systems of economy throughout the globe and our government's concerns , than through the media, concerns develop along with them increasingly every day.  Not only has ISIS implemented their growing 'standards' and ideals into their 'business', but the systems acted out by them are now not only on a personal level to families around the world, but are becoming economic, and on a much larger scale. Since June of this past summer, the U.S. oil prices have dropped by nearly 45 percent. This raises questions as to what the effect of ISIS' own oil sources now. As FOX News states, "Since expanding its territorial control over the summer, ISIS has built several small refineries to extract oil to use as fuel for vehicles and to fund its operations. The Defense Department in September stated that the terrorists make a $2 million-a-day profit from oil sales on the black market," and there is only more to come, as this profit allows for a very maneuverable situation for the leaders of this organization. Funding gives them not only a safety and a backing in case of strategy failure or a fall through of plans, as well as relative control over their position and operations. Yet the media does not seem overly concerned with the possibilities that could rise from the situation at hand. FOX points out a comment made by a Wealth Adviser and informative resource: 'ISIS was selling oil around $40 a barrel or maybe a little less [and] with the drop in price to about 60 when oil was previously trading around $85 dollars a barrel, we would still expect them to be trading at a deep discount,' said Stys, who is chief investment officer of WS Wealth Management," however, this cheap oil and mismanagement of finances will bring problems for ISIS' profit later on, and the fall-out is predicted to ruin the attempted resource and monetary 'backing' for this group. What various governments and leaders around the globe have discussed are the possible solutions to this negatively-aimed control that ISIS now holds. Where the current conversation seems to be leading is towards a complete cut-off of any business for ISIS. If the business and money can be directed towards other
resources, than this organization will not be able to endure the lack of funds for their dealings. As one can see, "ISIS’ location has proven beneficial in their ability to sell oil on the black market. 'The area in which they operate geographically, there are a lot of ways to move oil to avoid the official channels … you also got the need in the areas they control to provide power, oil, gasoline so I think there are many users,' said Stys."
Yet all seem to agree that "the only way to have a significant impact on ISIS is to stop their flow of oil to potential buyers," cutting off revenue and funds for activities carried out by the group. We can only hope that this problem does not escalate, causing only more hurt and sorrow for the families all around, as well as injuries to economies across the globe.
 

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/12/15/will-falling-oil-prices-impact-isis-terror-operations/