No Islam does not promote brutality. In fact the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, actually preached moderation, forgiveness, and social reform including gender equality, religious freedom, and mandatory education for all Muslims. He also condemned racism and tribalism. The Prophet Muhammad also warned his followers to beware those who would commit crimes in the name of Islam.
The reason most volatile regions are located in Islamic states is that there are major differences between Sunni Muslims and Shi’ite Muslims, which go back almost 1,500 years ago, over who would succeed the Prophet Muhammad. After Saddam Hussein -- a Sunni -- was overthrown, a Shi’ite government took over and that government began to remove the Sunni people from power and society. The Sunnis became angry and formed the so-called Islamic State, or ISIS.