I see the "we only make things worse by fighting back" theory has re-emerged. Apparently, the leader of ISIL wants us to attack him:
Recently, he has distributed footage of carefully choreographed beheadings of Western hostages, some carried out by “Jihadi John”, a man who speaks in an English accent.
These were not whimsical moments of theatrical extravagance. They were designed precisely in order to draw America and its Western allies back into the Middle East. Osama bin Laden plotted the attack on the Twin Towers 13 years ago for the same kind of reason. Baghdadi may calculate that air strikes will not do too much serious damage, while adding greatly to the popular legitimacy of his cause.
If we send in our bombers, we are doing what Isil wants. It is important to reflect on this.
Oh please. Let's reflect on the notion that attacking ISIL is falling into their deep trap rather than a demented attempt to get us to leave them alone to consolidate their caliphate.
Let's reflect that this trap nonsense was said about al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001. They've been enjoying their cave accommodations ever since--or swimming with the fishies in the case of the late Osama bin Laden.
And reflect that this was said of Saddam Hussein in 2003. He'd welcome our air attacks to raise his stature, they said. Oh wait. He's dead, too. Executed by his former victims.
But surely this type of wish will work better for ISIL, right?
As I've long said, only ineffective use of force plays into our enemies' hands. Killing force doesn't play into their hands--it kills them dead and scatters their survivors, and makes the kids in the Islamist chat rooms reflect deeply about the wisdom of packing their bags and heading out to join the jihad.
So this is just stupid.
But don't worry. This article isn't only ordinary, everyday stupid.
Behold the alternative to killing and defeating the jihadis:
Yesterday, in the United Nations, a remarkable event occurred. For the first time since the Iranian revolution of 1979, a British prime minister sat down and talked face to face with an Iranian president. David Cameron’s summit with President Rouhani points the way forward – but there is an awfully long way to go.
See? The author isn't relying on a dumb suggestion. He's relying on the even dumber suggestion that we ally with nuke-seeking Iran to defeat ISIL!
Like allying with Persian and Shia Iran will work well in the Sunni Arab world.
And like that won't empower that already-noted nuclear seeking Iran along with Assad and Hezbollah.
Yikes. The stupid is sometimes frightening.
