The Monster Called ISIS

ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) as you know is presently the most sophisticated and dangerous terrorist organization in the world. It has a very large, deep and significant battle strategy that targets Shiites, Kurds, Christians and many other inhabitants in the Middle East. Under the monstrous leadership of their shadowy figurehead, Abu Bakr al-Baghadi, they have rampaged across cities and villages, killing innocent, unarmed civilians in cowardly acts of violence. By means of onshore and offshore recruitments, taxation of non-Muslims, invasion of town and villages, robbery and genocide, they have succeeded in making themselves a formidable force to contend with.

To combat this monster, the United States of America has taken the lead in calling
for International Coalition against ISIS. During his Mid-September visit to the region,
John Kerry, United States Secretary of State, rallied support against ISIS from both friends and foes alike. To forge this coalition, America would have to demolish the brick walls of conflicting interests and deal with issues arising from strings attached to the supports they have already received. Below are highlights of clash of interests:

1. Saudi Arabia would support the coalition on two grounds. America must not tango with their sworn enemy, Iran, and the coalition must include plan to topple Bashir Assad, the Syrian dictator and ally of Iran.

2. Egypt will support the coalition but wants something in return. America must increase its assistance against radicals within Egypt and neighboring Libya.

3. Turkey wants to support but perhaps afraid that this would provoke ISIS who have 49 of its citizens in hostage and so far has not threatened its Sunni Government. Turkey incidentally is key to the success of this coalition; American airstrikes against ISIS will be most effective from Turkish border. But ISIS traverses business from this border; its black oil market shipment worth millions of US dollars per week and its foreign fighters enters Iraq and Syria through this route. Yet ISIS remains a threat to Turkey as it is to the whole world.

4. Iran does not trust America’s motive and intention in this coalition. She is divided
between its hatred for ISIS and distrust for America.

5. China is mum on the entire debacle.

6. Russia is clearly not on board. Russia wants any plan against ISIS to go through United Nations Security Council where they hope to block and shoot it down.

7. German and Britain have signed up but not willing to render military action or put boots on the ground.

8. France is on board and has begun airstrike in Iraq but not in Syria.

From all of these, the following has been achieved so far:

i. 14 countries have agreed to send weapons ;

ii. 29 counties have offered humanitarian aid

iii. 7 countries have agreed to provide military assistance and personnel

iv. America has taken it upon itself to coordinate the coalition and battle strategies. Obama is quoted to have said: “When we have got a big problem in the world, it falls on our shoulders. There just aren’t a lot of other folks who can perform the same way. ”

Nevertheless, this coalition remains fragile and less united and more apt to strain in the blood-drained sands of Northern Iraq and Eastern Syria. Over and above all, it must be noted that military airstrikes alone cannot defeat ISIS. A comprehensive and sustained counterterrorism strategy however can and such strategy must include among others:

• Cutting off funding for the group from wealthy Arab nations like Kuwait, Qatar and their likes.

• Choking of ISIS lucrative oil smuggling and black market business

• Stanching off the flow of foreign fighters into the group’s ranks

• Rallying Muslim Clerics and Islamic experts to denounce ISIS and condemn its claim that its self-described Caliphate represents a pure version of Islam.

• Putting boots on the ground with the most experienced country on such battles leading the charge.

The answers to quelling this terrorist group may not be available now but ultimately the world must rise up against ISIS and work together to degrade and eventually destroy this monster.