The Washington Outsider

Battling the Islamic State: Beyond Military Might

6/13/2015

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Just over a year ago, the Islamic State was forcing itself into the spotlight by seizing towns like Mosul as the Iraqi army scattered into the wind at their approach.  In a moment of unguarded honesty, President Obama admitted earlier this week that he still does not have a strategy to defeat the Islamic State.  To critics, it was a scandalous confession of his incompetence, but the truth is that the Obama Administration has limited options and the Islamic State is a fluid organization demanding a fluid response.  

In terms of military strategy, the Obama Administration’s airstrikes and limited engagement are the actions of a country taking on a support role.  Recognizing the US is still recovering from the costs of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, while the Ukraine Crisis and South China Sea Crisis present a far greater threat to America’s vital national security interests, this is an appropriate role. 

The truth is that any endgame strategy against the Islamic State will depend on America’s allies, particularly America’s allies in the Middle East.  Unfortunately, it has taken a year for those allies to take ownership of the threat to their own regional and national security.  In many respects, they are just beginning to come together to battle the Islamic State and they need greater US leadership in all aspects of the anti-terrorism campaign.
Beyond the piecemeal military campaign against the Islamic State, the United States and others are leading the charge to tackle the terrorist group on different fronts.  Frankly, no war is won solely by combat.  There must also be an effort to cripple an enemy’s logistical and social support structure.  Although this aspect of the war is unexciting and easily dismissed as a secondary concern, there must also be a noncombat strategy.  The world may not yet even have this strategy, but progress has certainly been made and more can be done.

1.  The Islamic State must be deprived of financial and material support.  For its part, the US and its regional partners have been working hard to undermine the economy of the Islamic State by cracking down on illegal sales of oil and freezing assets.  That said, far more can be done to deprive IS of the resources it needs to fund its military operations and govern the territory it seizes. 

Groups like the Islamic State are clever and very skilled when it comes to tapping the economic pipeline of an informal economy.  By better understanding, for example, how the Assad government and Iran fund themselves, even when burdened by crippling economic sanctions, the informal economy of the Islamic State can be better understood and addressed.  

In many respects, the US likely needs to spend more time engaging Middle Eastern allies in order to better understand how the informal economies of the Middle East actually work as their workings are alien to Western financial experts.  More must also be done to prevent the Islamic State from spending the money it amasses, including the "taxes" it collects from locals.  

With that in mind, we do not necessarily have to crush the economy of the Islamic State, but we must slow it significantly more.  Criminal organizations are businesses.  Like all businesses, they can make money and still fail.  The goal of financial warfare against the Islamic State must be to force the Islamic State into insolvency by impeding their finances and/or allowing them to over commit and over leverage their organization.  Beyond that, how and where the Islamic State spends its money is probably more important.

2.  Understanding the reasons why people are attracted to IS can help inhibit their recruitment efforts.  Although efforts are being made to address the recruitment of Westerners into the Islamic State, it is difficult for Westerners to understand the mindset of the Islamic State and Middle Easterners.  The Islamic State and globalized terrorism, for many, is seen a battle against tyranny, instead of a worse form of tyranny replacing the old. 

For many, the Islamic State is seen as a romantic means of reliving the glory days of Islamic history, i.e. the same reason many are attracted to shows like Downton Abbey.  Just as followers of people like Adolf Hitler sought to fight back against the oppression of those they identify with the most and give their lives meaning at a time when the Germans felt disempowered, the Islamic State plays on that same human desire.  

Meanwhile, outsiders often view the violent reactions of Muslims to seemingly pretty grievances, such as an insult made against their religion, as a form of insanity.  Indeed, the worldview of Middle Easterners is very different from that of most Westerners.  Where Westerners tend to value individual rights and focus on how events affect them as individuals, the strong cultural/religious identity of Muslims means they tend to interpret global events through their cultural lens and respond to those events based on how they impact the cultural/communal aspects of their lives, i.e. their religion.

Looking at evangelical Christians in the United States, there is a similar dynamic where the individual impact is over shadowed by the impact on the community.  Westerners see the world through the eyes of those living in a liberal democracy, i.e. governance that focuses on individual rights; whereas, the mindset of modern Middle Easterners is somewhere between what would have been common a hundred years or so ago and modern day thinking.  A similar mentality in regards to violence can still be seen in the West.  For example, hillbillies and gangs tend to represent a less civilized, less sheltered/secure element of the American society, so they tend to see violence as more acceptable, even neccessary.  

Finally, there needs to be a greater effort to dissuade recruits from joining IS in places like Syria.  In other to do that, the United States and its allies must reach out to those who understand the cultures and mindset.  From there, Westerners and Middle Easterners must translate the thinking of the local populations into Western terms and Western thinking into Middle Eastern terms; otherwise, the ideals of peaceful coexistence can never be communicated.

3.  Finally, there needs to be a far greater effort to undermine the loyalty and social cohesion of the Islamic State.  In order to that, the United States and its allies need to offer some benefit and protection for those who wish to leave IS.  The world must find the cracks in the Islamic State cult mentality then exploit them.  Again, there needs to be cooperation between Westerners who have the ability to strategy on such topics and Middle Easterners who understand the cultures and have boots on the ground.

Clearly, there is no straightforward strategy for defeating the Islamic State while the military strategy continues to change as conditions on the ground dictate.  There is, however, a very clear need to improve upon the economic and social engagement strategy needed to defeat the Islamic State.

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      • Should One's Faith Influence a Citizen's Vote?
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      • On Defunding Political Science Research
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      • Justice for All: The Case for Legal, Social, Economic, and Personal Justice
      • Why Hardliner Thinking in the NSA and CIA is Doing Damage
      • On the Baby Boomer’s Self-Centeredness
      • The Case for Personal Responsibility
      • What Modern Day Revolutionaries Need to Learn from Leader's like Mandela
      • Rising Western Acceptance of LGBT Primes Culture Clash
      • The Need for Wisdom Beyond the Numbers
      • Perceptions of the United States
      • How Honesty Relates to the Great Recession
      • Why the Middle Class and Rich Need to Support Their Long-term Interests
      • The Aristocratic Republic of the United States of America
      • Discussing the Need for Community Support
      • Why New Forms of Capitalism and Socialism Will Compliment Each Other
      • The Reason We Need to Understand What it is to Be Poor in America
      • Why the World Needs to Reinvest in America
      • Why Are We Against Terrorism?
      • Why Does Terrorism Exist?
      • US Influence: The Value of American Citizenship Around the World
      • Responding to "the Soldier as Sacrficial Victim"
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      • How comfort defines us as people >
        • Is Suicide a Cowardly Way Out?
      • Defense Against the Dark Arts of Manipulators
      • Defining Abuse >
        • On the Willing Victim of Abuse
        • How to Understand Abuse Victims
        • Recognizing Abuse
      • The Role of Substitution in Decision Making
      • Trying to Understand PTSD and Other Trauma-induced Mental Health Issues
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        • Mental Illness is Not the Cause of Anger and Violence >
          • Trying to Understand the Boston Marathon Bombing and Other Violent Crimes
          • Getting into the Twisted Mind of the Tucson Murder
      • Describing the Mind as Modes of Thought >
        • It’s Just Sex?
      • Relationships, or Arrangement
      • Understanding the Effects of Groupthink in the Workplace
      • Relating Circular, Inductive, and Deductive Reasoning to the Scientific Method and Religion
      • What is a Redneck? Understanding Different Cultures and Thinking
    • Economics >
      • The Need for Greater Economic Leverage >
        • Evaluating NAFTA and TPP
        • Undercutting Logistics with the Underpaid Independent Contractor
        • Unions: Hindrance or Essential to Free Markets
        • Eminent Domain Used Against Banks
        • Haitians Sue the UN for Failure to Help With Cholera
        • Looking at How Corn-based Ethanol and Other Alternative Energy Subsidies Stack Up
      • Empowering the Sovereign Nation-State by Rethinking Trade Policy >
        • Irish Sovereignty Lost Before Bailout
        • Why Sudan's Greatest Long-Term Hurdle is Our Lowest-bidder Economy
        • Reduce US Imports by Buying American Made Products
      • Ending the need for government support and tackling poverty
      • Income inequality: understanding the limitations and psychology of disadvantage
      • Looking at the Future of American Jobs >
        • On Questioning the Need to Address Economic Disparity
        • Minimum Wage is Not the Problem
        • Responding to the "Blip"
        • Why Education Is Not The Civil Rights Issue Of The Twenty-First Century
      • Considering the Impact of the Capital Gains Tax Deduction
      • Embracing a Capitalist Mindset >
        • Capitalism Versus Socialism
        • The Negatives of Socialism
      • Stealing Intellectual Property
      • Changing Business Models: From Enduring Entities to Cash Cows
      • Consumer and Investor Evolution in the Great Recession of 2008-09
      • Dealing with the Issues Surrounding the Patenting of Self-replicating Technologies
      • Is Technology Threatening Jobs?
    • Education >
      • The Role of Education in Creating a More Dynamic Workforce
      • Primary Education in America and the Changing Needs of Society
      • The Greatness of the American Education System
      • Ideas for Improving the United States Education System
      • Are Teachers Treated as Professionals?
      • Is Engaging Parents in Their Children's Education a Major Factor in Turning Around Low-performing Schools?
      • Should Grants Be Awarded to School Districts that Try Innovative Methods to Improve Student Achievement?
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      • On Reading the US Constitution
      • The Senate should not do more to limit the powers of the Judicial Branch
      • On the DOJ Justifying the “targeted Killings” of US Citizens
      • Corporations Do Not Have the Same Rights as US Citizens >
        • Corporate America Pleads the First
      • Discussing the Constitutionality of Per Capita Taxes
      • Was the California Supreme Court Right in Legalizing Gay Marriage?
      • Should the Bible Continue to Be Used for Swearing-in Ceremonies and in Courtrooms?
      • Should Religious Student Clubs Be Allowed in Public Schools?
      • Should the Government Control Talk Radio to Make it More "balanced"?
      • The Second Amendment: Not Outdated >
        • Are We Losing Our Second Amendment Rights
      • Eminent Domain Used Against Banks
      • Should a Woman Have the Right to Choose Abortion? >
        • Should Fathers Be Able to Opt Out of Parenthood?
      • Should Smoking Be Allowed in Public Places?
      • Is Teen Driving a Right or a Privilege?
      • Should US Companies Be Required to Provide Equal Pay to Women and Men?
      • Is eighteen too young to vote?
      • First Amendment Rights: The Priviledge of The Press
      • Do Mandatory Seat Belt Laws Violate Individual Rights?
      • Should cell phone use be banned while driving?
      • Dealing with the link between video game violence and children's behavior
      • Should police have to submit to routine drug and alcohol testing?
      • Public schools should not impose mandatory drug testing on students
      • Are High Taxes on Cigarettes Proper?
      • Should pharmacists be required to violate their religious beliefs and dispense the "Morning After Pill?"
      • Should school counselors uphold patient privacy or report students who become unstable?
  • For the record
    • Ongoing Issues >
      • Red Dawn in Ukraine: Understanding the Actions of Russia >
        • On Russia’s Coercion of Ukraine
        • The Russian Annexation of Crimea in the Eyes of the World
        • Putin Has Overplayed His Hand With Crimea
        • Ukraine in Terms of Resovereignization
        • Avoiding a Conflict Between America and Russia Over Ukraine
        • What Drives the World’s Interest in Russia’s Actions in Ukraine
      • China’s Aggressive Pursuit of Interests Demands a Global Response
      • Iran Makes a Deal: A Start to a Long-term Diplomatic Effort to Denuclearize Iran >
        • On the Future of a Nuclear Negotiations with Iran
      • America's Sphere of Influence: Retaking South-East Asia >
        • Power in Asia: Looking at the Power Shift in Japan
        • The China Paradox: Why America is Worried About China
      • Assessing US Support of Israel >
        • Tread Softly Israel for a Heavy Step May Be Your Undoing
      • Understanding the Dysfunctional Nature of the US-Pakistani Relationship
      • Recognizing the True Threat Behind the Current Unrest in the Middle East >
        • Reacting to the Escalating Crackdown in Syria
      • Assessing the Threat of North Korea >
        • Answering North Korea's Call for Food Aid: Breaking the Vicious Cycle Forced Upon Us by a Warring Nation
        • Dealing with the Restarting of the Korean War
        • North Korea Attacks South Korea
      • Dealing with the Ill-effects of Climate Change
      • Racial Inequality and Oppression Do Truly Exist in Today's Society
      • Should energy independence be a high priority in the US?
      • An overview of world wide Human Rights violations
      • Nuclear Threat from Pakistan
      • Return of The Cold War?
    • World >
      • Coverage of FIFA World Cup is a Chance to Focus on Poverty >
        • The FIFA World Cup Offers Benefits for More Than Brazilian Soccer Fans
        • FIFA Can Bring Brazilians Together as a Nation
      • Being Prepared for Any Potential Dangers at the FIFA World Cup Games
      • Treading Softly on the Politicizing of the 2014 Sochi Olympics Over Gay Rights
      • Why NATO Operations in Libya Lack a Well-defined Mission
      • China Hijacks the Web
      • Lessons from the Great Japanese Earthquake of 2011
      • A Modernizing Cuba Offers an Opportunity for Capitalists
      • The Seeds of Democracy Take Root in the Middle East
      • The Rebirth of Democracy in Tunisia
      • What May Come from the Hurt Revolution in Libya
      • Responding to the Violence of Qaddafi and Other Besieged Leaders
      • Embracing the Rise of a Democratic Egypt
      • Protests in Afghanistan Turn Deadly for Coalition Forces and UN Personnel
      • Haiti: Another Failing Humanitarian Investment
      • What Karzai Can Learn from Calderon
      • START II: A Necessary, Easy Success that Nearly Failed
      • Why Does the U.S. Government Support Independence for the Breakaway Serb Territory of Kosovo but Oppose Independence for the Breakaway Georgian Territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia?
      • Iraq's Electric Issues: When Human Wants Trump Economic Sense
      • The International Community Reacts to Wikileaks: We May Be Moving Toward a Third World War in Cyberspace
      • On Climate Gate
      • Assessing Obama's Afghanistan War strategy
      • 2009 Iranian Presidential Election: The Fallout
      • Resolving Sri Lankan Conflict through Free Media
      • What are the Global Consequences of Russia's Invasion of Georgia
      • The War in Iraq: an assessment of President Bush's surge strategy
      • Drug War: Actions of Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador in terms of Resovereignization
      • Is the Iraq Refugee Crisis America's Responsibility?
      • US support for a united Kosovo, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia: why?
      • Should the US withdraw from Iraq?
      • Setting a Timetable for Troop Withdrawal from Iraq is a Terrible Mistake
      • War on Terrorism is needed
    • Law and Order >
      • Rape in the US Military
      • Ethics of Force-feeding Guantanamo Bay Detainees
      • Reacting to the Aftermath of the Tucson Massacre
    • Economy >
      • Affordability Drives Fear of Obamacare and the Individual Mandate
      • Is the Economy Built for a Job's Recovery?
      • Gutting Healthcare Reform of the Individual Mandate
      • Arizona Budget Cuts Lead to Lethal Healthcare Rationing:
      • Shameful Collection Practices of American Banks
      • The Fed Reveals it Actually Undertook an International Bailout
      • Thoughts on French Budgetary Reforms
      • Seniors Start Businesses
      • The Case for Slimming Down the US Military to Make it Better
      • Looking at the Obama Administration's New Approach to Economic Policy
      • Should the Government Regulate the Credit Card Industry?
      • The Big Three's Big Chance
      • The Unhealthy Tone of the Healthcare Reform Debate
      • Should the federal government offer a bailout for home owners?
      • Environmentalists: Do They Do More Good Than More Harm?
      • Responding to Scott Walker's Contribution to the War on Unions
    • US Government >
      • America Needs to Focus on the Impending Fiscal Crisis
      • Reacting to the Bush Era-tax Cut Extension Deal
      • Quitting the Obama Revolution: The Fickle Nature of American Politics
      • John Boehner's Circus
      • Is the Fed Putting Itself in Jeopardy?
      • Wikileaks Goes After the US State Department
      • Discussing the Political Environment Surrounding the 2011 Budget Debate
      • What the Democrats Can Do to Ensure a GOP Year in 2012
      • What the 2010 Midterm Actually Said
      • Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper
      • Democrats Minus Nancy Pelosi Equals Opportunity
      • Terrorists Go Postal: The Terrorism Threat Reexamined
      • Victory in the 2008 Election: Reaction to Barack Obama'a Win >
        • Expectations for Barack Obama
      • President Obama's first one hundred days
      • John McCain's Negative Campaign
      • Reasons People did not Elect John Mccain
      • History judges the George W. Bush Administration
      • Should the next US President focus on domestic issues?
      • President Bush, should he resign or be impeached
      • Should the Ban on Government Sponsored Assassinations be Repealed
    • Off Topic >
      • A Face of America’s Greatest Generation
      • A Story About a Man Who Made the World a Better Place
      • Making the World a Better Place
      • The Bipolar Ethical Nature of Google
      • Learning Computer Plays Jeopardy
      • Verifying Medicine is the Real Thing
      • Taking a Practical Step Forward in Optical Computing Using Slow Light
      • Scientists Take a Closer Look at How Lithium Batteries Work
      • Remarking on the First Blizzard of the 2010-2011 Winter Season
      • Driving in the Snow: Acceleration is the Key
      • How People in Northwest PA Are Coping with the Increasing Cost of Oil
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