The Rise of ISIS Amid A Year Of Foreign Policy Challenges Listen Download Embed Share Share this on Facebook (Opens in a new window) Share this on Twitter (Opens in a new window) Share this via Email A Peshmerga fighter stands beside graffiti of the Islamic State (IS) group flag in Zummar city on December 18, 2014. Kurdish forces continue to battle IS fighters near Syria. ( SAFIN HAMED / Stringer / Getty ) Produced by Mythili Rao Hosted by Todd Zwillich Produced by PRI and WNYC