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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The Islamic State Central is increasingly publicizing the achievements of its affiliated African
  provinces, leading to what the FMSO’s Foreign Perspectives Brief authors call “The Islamic
  State’s African Turn.”
• The authors detail six potential benefits that IS Central might gain with such an “African
  Turn,” as well as what downsides might also accompany such a turn.
• Overall, the authors assess that the Islamic State’s African Turn is likely more tied to
  temporary successes of African provinces than it is an attempt to change the Middle Eastern
  character of the group.