Over the weekend, Iraqi army units supported by U.S. forces gained more territory in Mosul, the last major Islamic State stronghold in Iraq. In Syria, forces fighting the IS have also recorded many victories and made gains against the terrorist group.

This has led some observers to declare that IS is close to being wiped out once and for all in the Middle East. But is this truly the end of the feared extremist group, and what will it leave in its aftermath?

Today on Current Affairs, we explore what lies next for IS, whether it is spreading to North Africa and areas surrounding the Middle East, and what future awaits the liberated populations of Syria and Iraq, who have endured years of brutal rule under the self-proclaimed caliphate.

This is a report by Jason Lim.