A narcissistic loser found a group with low entry requirements.

The promise of stomping some skulls, no polygraph...no SFAS...rank by virtue of language skills...war beard...wow...this MF loser was all in - now a full page spread...this is better than his wildest wet dreams.

I wish Hellfires tied directly to facial recognition software.

I won't discount him immediately. I dare to bet 72 virgins is of little interest to him also. His life pattern shows a consistent vulnerability. The concept of Ego, Scarcity, and Social Proof can be used to turn around this poor misunderstood fellow. The pitch will be be along the line of "make everything you have done and suffered through worth it. Fulfill your original calling of duty, honor, country and finally give meaning to your existence"

The only way to defeat the Islamic State
 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinio...d02_story.html

Comments!!

BMT

Excellent read.

http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/manage...=PDFCoverPages

My interest is organizational structure, specifically, management/leadership. I am also interested in the process by which individual, groups, and communities organize, communicate and create social constructs.

To that end, I follow dynamic management social theorist such as R.L. Ackoff (1994), “Enterprise as Social Systems” and “System Theory”.
Currently, I have been reading Russ Marion and Mary Uhl-Bien, “Complexity Theory and Al Qaeda” (2003) and Ackoff’s “Complexity Leadership Theory: “Shifting leadership from the industrial age to the knowledge era”, in relationship to system theory, where networks are complex adaptive systems, such as Al Qaeda. In conjunction with Uri Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) work, “The Ecological System of Human Developmental”, a theory on the five stages of human development in context.

My intent was to investigate systemically, the mutual nesting systems and interrelationships affecting action and interaction, successful, or not, in network, or small team perspective and formation, in relationship to the socio-demographic worldview, where members culturalization effects outcome. The question of internalized cultural views, are they deterministic, and/or, intrinsically link to success, or failure, in collaborative environments has become secondary, as this attached article answers that directly. Concluding that the success of Al Qaeda is tied to an overarching binding mechanism of religious belief, negating competition between groups for limited resources, for the larger prize of defeating its enemies. This understanding of network formation, function, and endurance that Al Qaeda examples is organic rather than synthetic; and therein. lies its weakness.

With the complete upending of my premise, and informed with this new perspective of what and how Al Qaeda functions, I do not see the AQ organization being defeated. Rather, through attrition, wear, and the loss of treasures, on our part, much like Afghanistan, retiring to fight another day. Of some interest is OBL, who stated exactly what would occur when we invaded, the interview and outcome is recorded and can be viewed on youtube.

With that in mind, and with reference to this thread topic of strategy to confront ISIS, this may be of some interest.

In a come to Jesus moment, we must concluded that everything OBL predicated, stated, and explained on the outcome of Iraq and Afghanistan has proven to be true. For the sake of argument, let us assume that everything that Russ Marion and Mary Uhl-Bien, “Complexity Theory and Al Qaeda” (2003) is also factual. Al Qaeda is a phenomenon, an organic non-traditional social organism, complex, self-adapting social structure capable of pivoting as needed.

Can AQ elements be defeated in individual battles, yes? There is no doubt to that answer, but what occurs is a retreat, the licking of wounds and adaptation to a long war view. This has been the outcome and has led to our withdrawal, proving OBL point.

AQ having accomplished that goal, now is morphing into a more structured social organization, one that is becoming less organic, one that has hierarchical leadership, consolidates gains, and holds territory. An organization that examples those traits is synthetic, and therefore, a large fixed target.

One consideration might be to afford ISIS the opportunity to consolidate to the extreme, then reintroduce the last 48hrs of the Iraq war in living color, it’s one way to defeat ISIS, that was once the phenomenon Al Qaeda.

Penn -

(Don't mean to denigrate what you posted but,) bla bla bla...

Al-Qaeda is a belief in the boogyman himself. If you believe in the boogyman than he lives. We have been fighting the boogyman since 9/11/01.

ISIS/ISIL - IS is now much bigger and much more lethal than al-Qaeda. They are in my opinion very much like Nazi (Natzi) Germany under Hitler. While Hitler believed there was a supreme race, Islam and the current wannabe Caliphates believe there is a supreme religion.

While OBL thought and believed there was a trespass and violation through tolerance of religion by western and middle east powers, the current crop want to restore an absolute faith in Islam and death to anyone who feels there is room for tolerance.

To them there is no room for acceptance and tolerant views and much like Nazism there is no second place. Totalitarian acceptance or death of an impure culture.

As seen before this does not end well, but millions will die.

JMHO

I think the General is giving them too much credit. But in his defense, you cannot simply cut off the head and expect this to go away. This is a societal culture that will take a generation or two of understanding and education to prevail against. And, even then there will still be difference requiring strength and possible fighting to resolve.

I think this is as old as the Bible and will not simply be solved with firepower and death of the lessor equipped.

JMHO

I agree.

Without the war against their political, informational, and economic means at the same time, there is no viable military solution.

Without the national will to fight for our survival, there is no road to eventual victory.

With our own elected leadership ignoring the threat, if not actually sympathizing with them, I do not see how we can have a successful strategy, or a path to victory.

Maybe when the war comes to our shores, we will get serious about it. Until then, we are just pissing into the wind.

TR

We have to stop the countries that are funding ISIS. Guess who is the number 1 country that has been funding them?

If they do not stop double dealing as they always do nothing will improve.

...so are our leaders almost ready to discuss the possibility of talking openly about the remote chance that this all might actually be about radical islamo-fascism?

Or are we still content to say that terrorism is just international crime?

understand the enemy to defeat it
 

another good analysis taking into account the geopolitical and historical backdrops
http://mondediplo.com/2014/09/04islamicstate

Call me crazy, but as hard as it is to do, it is possible to empathize (not sympathize) with ISIS aka the Sunni's inferior/minority complex as driving factor

"In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him. I think it's impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves. And then, in that very moment when I love them .... I destroy them-"
~Orson Scott Card, Ender Games

On a related note, AQ has made moves to counter ISIS claim as the champion of the caliphate cause....the next 12 months is bound to be interesting for sure (job security!)
http://news.yahoo.com/al-qaeda-decla...190808390.html
http://warontherocks.com/2014/09/zaw...ter-caliphate/

Marion and Uhl-Bien paper clearly describes AQ. They succinctly demonstrate that due to the organic nature of the AQ organization and its ability to function without top down C&C, but as independent units aligned in a common cause, strategic decapitation in fruitless. It disrupts, but does not defeat the movement, much like removing your hand from a bucket of water, it leaves no holes.

In my mind, unless we are willing to move to the same state of commitment that AQ and ISIS occupy: total war, we haven’t a chance in hell of containing, or winning the fight.

http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articl...-civilizations Foreign Affairs Summer issue 1993

My advocacy is for total war. Its the only sensible solution.

I think you are absolutely correct in that assessment. If you still hold to the naive notion that our elected leadership is a reflection of the will of the people (I think I still do), then to get out in front of this threat we need to do some serious education at home.

People are still naive as to the ISIS threat. But educating theme through social media seems to work. I have been trying an experiment here in a small social group (mostly liberals). There has been a change in perceptions since I started a couple of months ago. Not surprisingly, the first to get it were the Jewish members of the group. They have picked up the banner and are carrying forward.

A few lessons learned: messaging is everything, keep the message simple and educational, graphic violence can have a strong impact if couched properly within the message, selected subgroups are more receptive than others (Jewish population for instance) and they can carry the message to others.

Of great help in this effort has been the ISIS Study Group by Greg West and several other Brothers. Very thoughtful and informative blog IMHO.

I would think that if we each start posting to a small circle of our friends (the ones that are sleep walking) and wake them up, we might just have a chance at getting ahead of this threat and even achieving the public will to sustain the fight to the very end for once.

Of this I am certain, though, if we do not do the leg work to prep the battle space first, the outcome will be like every other conflict we have engaged in over the past 50 years.

Like this?

Holy War???
 

Although I detest these two words being used together as it is an obvious oxymoron, a Holy War seems to be what our enemy is declaring. I have been thinking a lot about that lately and exactly what it means and how it does, or even if it should affect a strategy for addressing ISIS? Here are some more or less random thoughts I think worthy of discussion in this forum.

To the best of my knowledge the coming conflict with ISIS will be the first war to be fought by our nation on fundamentally ideological grounds. Most if not all previous conflicts that led to war had at their roots the struggle for control of economic resources.

Much has been made of the ISIS manner and means of conducting war as compared to to that of the Nazis. A comparison to the Holocaust perpetrated by the Nazis and ISIS is obvious, but is only superficial IMO.

The Nazi’s arose as a political party from a hyper-nationalistic fervor to achieve an economic end not an ideological end. Atrocities committed by the Nazis (crimes against humanity) were a means to an end, not the end in and of itself. ISIS, on the other hand, is driven purely by ideology and the manner and means ISIS uses to affect its stated goals are ends in and of themselves. That is to say that the brutal oppression is part of the desired end-state and not merely the manner and means for achieving the end-state.

It seems to me that this is a wholly unique challenge for us and the chosen strategy for dealing with ISIS cannot be predicated on how we have dealt with any other threat in the past. In other words, simply bombing ISIS with the belief that at some point they will cease is not realistic. You simply cannot kill an idea.

I certainly do not have the answer to what strategy will work, but I do know that if we do not clearly and completely understand the enemy and the root motivations that drive the enemy, we cannot truly defeat them. I also know that this is going to be a generational conflict and that if we do not properly understand that fact we will not be able to defeat them either.

My gut is telling me that we are about to enter a struggle like no other – one of good versus evil. Two of the axioms put forth by Sun Tzu are most important here. First, know ourselves. Our weakness is Tolerance. As Thomas Mann said, “Tolerance becomes a crime when applied to evil.” We, as a culture, will need to embrace that.

Second is to know your enemy. By that he meant not just who he is, but what he is, how he thinks, and why he thinks what he thinks. Towards that end I have attached what I think is pretty insightful article into anthropological psychology of the Muslim culture.

As I said none of this provides an answer to the strategic questions, but it is a starting point towards developing a sustainable strategy.

http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news...al-nakba?all=1

De Oppresso Liber

OK, dog pile :D

Trapper John, it’s hard not to agree with you on the points you’re making, but I v/r submit that the conflict we are about to join is more similar to the one fought against organized crime in the 60’s and 70’s. If you lump all the Islam Extremists into one bowl (while the mantras vary wildly) you’ll find very little difference in one glaring aspect: they are competing with one another. Not just for recruits (while that is certainly one of the obvious tools), but more for market shares. They are making billions and billions of dollars in plain old neighborhood extortion. The spectrum of extreme Islam is less to do with ideology and more to do with money and the power associated with great sums of cash on hand (not stocks and bonds…cash). By posing as an ideology it makes the fighting of it appear more difficult. It's them wrapping their faces in black grease rags. If you see the fight as destroying their cash on hand and denying them additional cash the struggle will be less opaque. I agree that this conflict will be like nothing we have fought before on the battlefield, but that we need to recognize the goal of the enemy is to attain the greatest amount of cash for the ranking leaders and a goodly amount for the Capos. They have no passion for the fighters, for Islam, for Sunni, or Shia, or Allah, not for mosques, or even their families, or anything else, although they sure put on some good theater that theirs is wrapped in a noble ideal. I think this is the first step in “knowing our enemy”. Knowing ourselves surely includes acknowledging our weakness for “tolerance”, but also our “impatience”.

I damned sure don’t know the strategic approach to win this contest, but I’d love to get some of the Mafia family in a think tank and put the subject to them while Rudy Giuliani acts as the facilitator.

In the meantime, introduce a sudden change in the appearance of the Euro and dollar. Print up a bunch of new middle denomination bills. Turn what they have into worthless paper. They'd start trying to dump or exchange it and might just reveal themselves. Then we could smash them like the vermin they are. Just a thought admittedly based on nothing but wildassed notions and probably too much salt in my diet.

Larry, the mafia analogy is an interesting one. Although, probably correct in the competition between families as compared to factions and tribes in Islam, I don't think the mafia was interested in new converts. They just wanted to operate in the shadows and control their territory.

Of course there is an economic interest at play here - always is in human endeavor. It's just not the prime mover IMO. I still think that ideological factor is the prime driving force. These guys are true zealots and little that the say or do leads me to believe that they are rational actors. At least the mafia acted, reacted, and behaved in a rational manner.

But to use your analogy, maybe a better comparison would be with inner city gangs? Albeit a huge over simplification.

Know your enemy.
What monetary/power motivation exists in a suicide bomber?
What fiscal motivation is there for the young kids drawn to Syria/Iraq to participate in this endeavor?
This IS an ideologically motivated entity and to compare it to a western crime organization is dangerous and misleading.
Radical Islam does not exist...it is simply a literal reading of Islam's books.
This is a theologically driven world wide conflict that does not begin or end with ISIS.
As long as Islam is read/interpreted literally and practicing Islam equals sharia we will be in a state of conflict.
That is the problem and the enemy all in one......but no one presently in our Govt. has the balls to ID it.

Agree with PRB's observations above.

In anticipation of golf boy's address to the nation this evening I found a very short primer that might be of interest - at link below.

The Birth of a Jihadist Caliphate
By Daniel Atzori

http://poseidon01.ssrn.com/delivery....021104&EXT=pdf

There is I believe an economic factor tied to this current Sunni Islamic "Fascism" at least at the upper levels of C2. If it is correct that Saudi Arabia is or has funded ISIS in Syria and has blessed their "Blitzkrieg" invasion of Sunni controlled Northen Iraq with tactical encursions into the Kurdish region (long detested by the former Baath party.)

Then it should stand to reason that those holding the reigns are in this for control of the oil fields and the money associated with them.

Starting a "Holy War" with the current ferver of anti-American hatred is as seen in our current state of global weakness, the time for land grabs and regional control.

The family of Saud, is not stupid (I did like the Mafia connection) and they are acting with "implied consent" exempt from their US handlers.

As far as a UW approach to long term sustainability. Thirteen years ago today, a handful of Saudi hijackers crashed four American airplanes into US financial and military headquarters and started a ball rolling we have been chasing ever since.

Think about it?

Just an opinion.

When I think of "know your enemy" regarding the Arab people, I can't help but think of this article:

WESTERN INFLUENCE ON ARAB MILITARIES: POUNDING SQUARE PEGS INTO ROUND HOLES
BY NORVELL B. DE ATKINE MARCH 18, 2013

http://www.gloria-center.org/2013/03...o-round-holes/

To me it looks like the collapse of arbitrary Arab states(Iraq) is coinciding with the collapse/failure of western emulating Arab militaries and the rise of a largely decentralized Arab/Islamic flavored smart phone equipped Khmer Rouge.

I just don't see western construct emulations surviving beyond the departure of western influence and aid.

They are already of questionable performance WITH western influence and aid.

Even with the US disengaging from the region and it's reliance on GCC energy waning(albeit no guarantee of permanence), do you allow an Islamic Khmer Rouge to seize globally relevant oil fields?

On the topic of the Khmer Rouge, would Cambodian Norodom Sihanouk and his bouncing around amongst the US, China, and the Khmer Rouge be worth studying on maybe what might be expected from ruling families if ISIS floods the GCC?

-----

One thing I am keen on watching is if public perceptions/opinions on countering ISIS mirrors the changes to public perceptions/opinions on the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill a few years back.

Everyone went nuts protesting it. Then the price of energy exploded and shot past $110 a barrel within 12 months. All those SUV gas hog driving part-time Greenies shut up REAL quick.

I wonder how public perception will change towards taking the gloves off IF pump prices start to hurt.

I suspect opposition to aggressive kinetic action will fade if climbing pump prices are perceived to be related.

Will rising pump prices provide scope for a temporary permit(if not a license) to kill?

And if so, would the permit come too late?

For me the pump prices shouldn't go up, yet they will. But I hear what you're saying. I feel the world, Arab League, and even OPEC should have been doing something about the stealing of oil on the "black market." With all the open sorce reporting and articles you know who is buying it and general amounts they are getting them per barrel at.

I would be targeting the trucks leaving oil refineries on top of ISI/ISIL/ISIS/IS "units and Formations."

Here's an article I find pretty interesting:

http://www.newsweek.com/2014/09/19/e...te-269247.html

I know it's Newsweek.....but I reckon they did a decent job on it.

I know Turkey is dealing with some nasty anti-secular momentum and the emasculation of the Turkish military's power to protect Ataturk's reforms and prevent the return of the caliphate.

But it's a bit of a shocker to read this article.

While a lot of it is to be expected(government tacit support , vulnerable underclass, and islamic civil war on the border), the volume of recruiting in Turkey is frightening.

And leaves me thinking Turkey might someday go full retard caliphate, or iron fisted total war Algeria.

I could see how Sahin Aktan's ex wife could be recruited into ISIS reading between the lines.

But a 25 year old Kyrgyz Christian chick going full retard ISIS, damaged goods/socially vulnerable or not, is Invasion of the Body Snatchers kind of spooky.

I'm aware a few girls in the US have done the same and been pinched(they seem to fit the same damaged goods/socially vulnerable/easily recruitable ).

I'v got my own opinions on things, but without being an SME on the topic.....I'm pretty confident pretty much everyone seems to be doing it wrong based on open source.

Who(if anyone) is doing it right?

I can understand on how a male is recruited into ISIL or into any Islamic movement. The bigger issue is how they can get females to leave their homes and families. That is the surprising one. Yes you could be right on the lines on how “same damaged goods/socially vulnerable/easily recruitable.” Just as a Drug dealer or Pimp will make a Girl “Work” for him or her.

The article that TR posted about their funding and drive behind it, makes for me of a reason. But Still.

This, Old Dog Not So New Trick
 

O.D.N.T. puts a light on what the Feds are NOT telling anyone. The implied consent. The financial and political influence of Saud.

The religous fanaticism is just a fuel, the effort is to gain control over an entire region. They are focused on the oil rich and financially supportive areas of the region.

Our basic instruction is to remember Islam is not just a religion, it is a form of governing and a form of banking. The religion is used by the governing elite to gain control of the finances. Which buy religous support, to gain control of the governed, to obtain more financial support... and on and on.

Islamic State spokesman again threatens West in new speech
By CALEB WEISS
September 21, 2014 7:39 PM
Long War Journal

Abu Muhammad al Adnani, the spokesman for the Islamic State has released a new speech today entitled "Indeed Your Lord is Ever Watchful". In this new fiery speech, al Adnani threatens not only America, but also European countries for supporting US airstrikes in Iraq against the Islamic State.

"O America, O allies of America, and O crusaders, know that the matter is more dangerous than you have imagined and greater than you have envisioned", Adnani says, "We have warned you that today we are in a new era, an era where the State, its soldiers, and its sons are leaders not slaves. They are a people who through the ages have not known defeat".

Adnani then goes on to say, "O crusaders, you have realized the threat of the Islamic State, but you have not become aware of the cure, and you will not discover the cure because there is no cure. If you fight it, it becomes stronger and tougher. If you leave it alone, it grows and expands". In the next paragraph he warns that "this campaign will be your final campaign. It will be broken and defeated, just as all your previous campaigns were broken and defeated, except that this time we will raid you thereafter, and you will never raid us. We will conquer your Rome, break your crosses, and enslave your women, by the permission of Allah, the Exalted."

Adnani then mentions President Obama directly when he says, "And O Obama, O mule of the jews. You are vile. You are vile. You are vile. And you will be disappointed, Obama. Is this all you were capable of doing in this campaign of yours? Is this how far America has reached of incapacity and weakness?"

He then warns American and European citizens for "their governments actions in Iraq". He goes to say, "O Americans, and O Europeans, the Islamic State did not initiate a war against you, as your governments and media try to make you believe. It is you who started the transgression against us, and thus you deserve blame and you will pay a great price. You will pay the price when your economies collapse. You will pay the price when your sons are sent to wage war against us and they return to you as disabled amputees, or inside coffins, or mentally ill".

Adnani then calls on Muslims who support the Islamic State from around the world to "defend the Islamic State". "So rise O muwahhid [monotheists]. Rise and defend your state from your place wherever you may be. Rise and defend your Muslim brothers, for their homes, families, and wealth are threatened and deemed lawful by their enemies."

He then calls on these Muslims to "strike the soldiers, patrons, and troops of the tawāghīt [those who cross the limits of Allah]. Strike their police, security, and intelligence members, as well as their treacherous agents. Destroy their beds. Embitter their lives for them and busy them with themselves. If you can kill a disbelieving American or European - especially the spiteful and filthy French - or an Australian, or a Canadian, or any other disbeliever from the disbelievers waging war, including the citizens of the countries that entered into a coalition against the Islamic State, then rely upon Allah, and kill him in any manner or way however it may be."

Threatening the United States or Europe in speeches is nothing new for Adnani or the Islamic State. In a recent propaganda video released earlier this week, the Islamic State threatened to "attack the White House and kill US troops".

When the Islamic State beheaded US reporters James Foley and Steven Sotloff, it said "So any attempt by you, Obama, to deny the Muslims their rights of living in safety under the Islamic Caliphate will result in the bloodshed of your people". And when the Islamic State beheaded UK aid worker David Haines, they warned, "[Britain's] evil alliance with America, which continues to strike the Muslims of Iraq and most recently bombed the Haditha Dam, will only accelerate your destruction" and "will only drag you and your people into another bloody and un-winnable war."

In a documentary released by VICE News in August, an Islamic State press officer in Raqqa went on camera saying, "Don't be cowards and attack us with drones. Instead, send your soldiers, the ones we humiliated in Iraq. We will humiliate them everywhere, God wiling, and we will raise the flag of Allah in the White House."

More importantly, in Abu Bakr al Baghdadi's first recorded speech, he threatened the United States by saying, "As for your security, your citizens cannot travel to any country without being afraid. The mujahideen have launched after your armies, and have swore to make you taste something harder than what Usama had made you taste. You will see them in your home, Allah permitting. Our war with you has only begun, so wait."

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/threat...#ixzz3E50N1Gyg

From the article posted above: " You will see them in your home, Allah permitting. Our war with you has only begun, so wait."


Don't force us to fight; because you're not going to like the way we fight once the PC gloves come off. We're waiting you Satan-worshiping mfers. Bring it on if you dare!

My home???
 

I can't even take that threat seriously. All these [insert extremists group name here] guys are the same. They think they are really hard men from what they do to the those who don't possess the means to defend themselves. Then the lease comes off and they are all turned to dust.

Count Me In!!
 

We will never be able to politicize and collaborate for peace with these demons on earth....It is time humanity took back the earth from these hounds of hell!! I'm no religiously-minded man, but I can only sum up that this is a battle against the greatest type of evil humanity will ever face!

I applaud this guy for putting his money where his mouth is, but I can't help but wonder why he was discharged from the Army so early. I'm thinking a mental disorder.

Wisconsin man decides to join YPG to fight ISIS

The parallels are amazing. An unprovoked attack on American soil by a fanatical enemy who is prone to suicide missions and beheading prisoners. An enemy whose belief in their leader as a demigod and their ruthlessness in following orders and their extreme cruelty to captives. Japanese or Muslim? Take your pick. From experience, we know what stopped the Japanese and turned them into model citizens.
I am afraid that the cure for Muslim extremism will need to be more drastic. My reasoning is , the Japanese had and have many admirable social and industrial ethics which, when redirected , produced an admirable society. The Muslims on the other hand, have very little to commend them and less that will turn them into model citizens once defeated.
That Muslims are poor soldiers is a truism plain to anyone. The Israelis beat almost the entire Arab world in 6 days. America has run over the Iraqis twice without any significant bother. The Afghanis are exceptions to the rule and should be left to their own devices and only bombed into submission once every hundred years or so.
Otherwise, the path forward is plain for anyone to see, but I am afraid that America, with a crypto-Muslim leading it, is not in the right place to effect the cure.

Japanese hostage
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-30893735

Let's see, a banzai charge against ISIS fanatics...or give them a taste of their own medicine via kamikaze....or let''s have ISIS experience an assault with the same resolve as 442nd RCT when rescuing the Lost Batallion

In a "way,' this is good. I want to see ISIS kidnap citizens from every single country. That way, they can be labeled as world's #1 menace (if not already)...and eradicated with extreme prejudice

Complete article at link - VDH again makes some interesting observations regarding our complex problem dealing with radical Islam.

Muslims and Islamists
How do extremists relate to the population in which they live?
VDH 1/20/15 NRO

http://www.nationalreview.com/articl...r-davis-hanson

The terrorism in Paris is yet another bad chapter in an ongoing Western debate over a seeming paradox. Almost all recent global terrorism is attributable to Islamic-inspired violence — much of it directed against Muslims. And yet the vast majority of the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims do not directly aid and abet the spate of Islamic extremism.

How then to focus on the Islamic terrorists without polluting the surrounding sea in which these sharks swim?

Do history’s radical movements assume initial or even ongoing popular majorities to ensure their viability? Obviously, the vast majority of Germans, Japanese, Italians, and Russians did not support the extremists who came to power with Hitler, Tojo, Mussolini, and Lenin.

Indeed, besides carrying out the Holocaust against the Jews, Hitler killed thousands of his own Germans, an array of homosexuals, Communists, domestic critics, and the physically handicapped. Stalin caused more deaths among his own fellow Soviet citizens in the Twenties and Thirties than the Wehrmacht later did.

The point is that extremist movements, even when they become strong enough to reach power, are not always particularly kind to their own or well liked among them. That Muslim radicals kill Muslims in their midst does not necessarily mean that they do not prefer to kill non-Muslims.

The continued influence of radical Muslims who engage in terrorism hinges on whether they bring power, prestige, and resources to the people that they otherwise usually oppress. Islamic theocrats control governments only in the Gulf, Iran, and Gaza, and are trying to cobble together a caliphate largely in Syria and Iraq. Turkey likewise is moving toward theocracy. But Islamists are active, both above and below the radar, in almost every Muslim-majority nation — and they can manage this even where they enjoy very little popular support.

A great deal of attention has been given to radically changing views toward Islamic terrorism in the Middle East, after the disintegration of Syria and the rise of the Islamic State, along with the bloody rampage of Boko Haram in central Africa.

But what is even more striking is the large minorities who still either are willing to state their support for terrorists or say they are unconcerned about their activity. According to the Pew Global Attitudes Project, Muslim support for suicide bombing has dropped in recent years. Yet even so, in 2014 in major Islamic countries — Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan — somewhere between 18 and 46 percent of the population expressed approval for the proposition that suicide bombing against civilian targets can “often/sometimes be justified in order to defend Islam.

Cont'd at link above.

Good reads by Alastair Crooke - a former MI-6 agent and author of Resistance: The Essence of Islamic Revolution.

Richard

You Can't Understand ISIS If You Don't Know the History of Wahhabism in Saudi Arabia

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alasta...b_5717157.html

Middle East Time Bomb: The Real Aim of ISIS Is to Replace the Saud Family as the New Emirs of Arabia

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alasta...b_5748744.html

Perhaps, this may get Barry off the back nine - the JV is certainly on the rise.

ISIS threatens Obama, Japanese and Jordanian hostages in new online messages
Fox News
1/27/2015

“Know, oh Obama, that will reach America,” says one of the fighters, clad in black and wearing a balaclava, in a translation from Arabic provided by MEMRI. “Know also that we will cut off your head in the White House, and transform America into a Muslim Province.”

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/01...line-messages/

These idiots need to watch a bunch of our westerns and gangster movies. They have no idea how many guns will be trained on them if they were to get together and try to take terrain here. Even in The Communist state of NY and NYC would overwhelm a unch of black pajama wearing camel jockeys on US terrain. I would love to see a battalion of flag waiving idiots along the southern border when they cross. Open season commences on ISIS with out a bag limit.....