The rise of Islamic State (IS) marks a new stage of terrorism and the Jihadist movement and has its roots in the religious, political and societal factors in the Middle East. Meanwhile, its own organizational capacity, economic management, and mass mobilization have also played an important role. The rise of IS has had a significant impact internationally. It not only competes with the Al-Qaeda for the leadership of the global Jihadist movement, but also exports violence, terror and ideology, which leads to international conflicts and regional turmoil, challenges traditional ideas and international norms, and accelerates the reshaping of geopolitics in the Middle East and the differentiation and reorganization of international counter-terrorism forces. Furthermore, the rise of IS has also pushed the practices of religionization and collectivization of the marginalized groups in the international system with shocks and challenges to the international order. Therefore, the international society shall realize the dual characters of the IS—a terrorist movement and a political practice of reestablishing Caliphate—and pay due attention to what has really bred it in order to cope with it more properly and effectively.