Pretty different from what?  Afghanistan in the 70s&#x2F;80s was almost exactly this: a destabilized national government, insurgent forces taking and holding territory, global powers being dragged into it.  The only differences are the rhetoric.<p>Edit: here, this may be a link that helps you understand more of the history of the region as well as the context for the rise of AQ&#x2F;ISIL: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Maktab_al-Khidamat" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Maktab_al-Khidamat</a>