Podcast Series: Caliphate—The Inner Workings Of ISIS

"How does ISIS prepare you to kill people?"

That's the strong opening of this podcast series following journalist Rukmini Callimachi as she reports on the Islamic State and the fall of Mosul. 

The so-called war on terror has cost the U.S. billions of dollars and the lives – in many ways – of thousands of civilians and soldiers.

In this podcast series, Andy Mills and Callimachi describe ISIS and how events have developed in nearly two decades of war on terror in a very engaging way.

"There are more terrorists now than there were on the eve of 9/11. Just try to get your head around that."

Callimachi seeks to answer one question with her reports: Who are they? On her quest to understand ISIS, she embarks on a long journey following the fall of Mosul. 

The podcast, titled Caliphate, is divided into ten chapters. Chapter 1 introduces Callimachi, and how it is for her to be on the terrorism beat. Perhaps one of the most engaging features of this series is how natural the production is. You hear the tests, you learn how it is to report on terrorism, to follow ISIS, to be on the frontline. You hear explosions, but what's happening is also described in a detailed way. 

Callimachi also interviews a former ISIS member about why he joined the group and witnesses the return of a young Yazidi girl who was kept captive for three years.