An Argument For Leaving ISIS Alone
Yesterday the president delivered his speech on his plan of action against the terrorist group known as ISIS: a fundamental Islamic extremist group that seeks to establish itself as a caliphate for Muslims across the world. ISIS has stretched its influence across a large stretch of land encompassing parts of Iraq and Syria. The group has taken advantage of the region's current state of turmoil and slaughtered many of the ethnic minorities which aren't considered pure enough for the Islamic State. Obviously this is a group driven by poor ideals and convinced that evil means are justified in their pursuit of this perfect religious state.
But why should America be concerned? The Middle East is notorious for such violent and rapid political and religious uprisings. There has been a civil war in Syria for three years which we have found no reason to intervene with even though thousands of innocents have been slaughtered by the Assad regime in acts that have been ruled as war crimes. There was also the Israel-Gaza conflict that recently settled down. Why are we so worked up by ISIS? In his speech Obama mentioned that ISIS has successfully recruited Muslims from both Europe and the United States into its ranks. ISIS has also threatened the West and its leaders. It has uploaded executions of two American journalists to the internet as well. The government is convinced that this is a real threat.
Obama's plan consists of continuing his airstrikes on the group in Iraq and then moving them into Syria as seen necessary. This is opposed to sending any troops onto the ground. Air attacks will ensure a minimization in the loss of American troops. The airstrikes will likely increase the group's hatred toward the West. As of right now it makes no sense for ISIS to instigate violence on any grand scale against the US as that would surely lead to war. Nobody wants war with the US. If we begin to bombard them with airstrikes then an attack against the US will seem far more justifiable than before we began bombing. Unfortunately the bombings have been going on for weeks now and we may have already dug ourselves in a hole too deep.
You have a good point about creating a reason for ISIS to target America, however; if we don't step in now won't they continue to become more powerful and recruit more members?
ReplyDeleteI see your point, however I am not sure that simply leaving the Islamic State be will be the right choice for the American government. The military action is also about appeasing the people of the United States in addition to seeking vengeance against the extremist organization.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I see the benefit of not being involved in the Middle East, as a super power don't we to and extent have the moral obligation to help those being hurt by evil there? Obviously our track record is not positive with enforcing humanitarian rights for everyone, (especially when oppressors are in control of resources the U.S. needs) but couldn't helping those Middle Eastern civilians be a positive thing to do?
ReplyDeleteI think this post is extremely interesting and insightful. Other readers have voiced some moral concerns about allowing ISIS(L) to continue its violent acts, but I share your opinion. I see no reason that the United States should exercise its role as self-appointed police of the world. Our earlier efforts in the Middle East created the resentment that manifests itself in radical terrorist groups, and there is no reason to believe that further efforts will not yield the same result.
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