What is a state?
“It is possible to say that there are three different concepts of statehood in this story:
Syria: UN member with defined borders, partial control of land, a government disliked by the West, apparently no right to protect its territory
Iraq: UN member with defined borders, partial control of land, a government favoured by the West, able to garner help to protect its territory
Islamic State: Unilaterally declared caliphate, no UN membership, no defined borders, partial control of land, a government with no international recognition, no right to protect its territory”
IR Theory & Practice 