Author Michael Barak MDC Dr. Michael Barak has published an op-ed in Israel Hayom about the decline of al-Qaeda. Date August 9, 2015 Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) Al-Qa'ida Dr. Michael Barak has published an op-ed in Israel Hayom, where he discusses the decline of al-Qaeda, which is in part due to its competition with the Islamic State. To read, click here.