The U.S. Needs an Anti-IS Playbook - Harold Rhode & Joseph Raskas
It would appear that the Islamic State (IS) has set its sights on the U.S. From an Islamist perspective, waging war to end the sovereignty and supremacy of the unbelievers is ultimately necessary and just. Drawing swords is not religious fanaticism; it is, rather, a mode of faith believed to hasten the demise of infidels. Western civilization is viewed as a collective affront, targeted for extinction by radical Islam.
The "strong horse" principle [Bin Laden taught that people follow the strong horse over the weak horse] is the predominant governing philosophy of Middle Eastern culture. The same principle must be applied to reshape the fight against IS. Rapid and overwhelming defeat is necessary to liquidate IS' capacity to effectively govern, as well as to prevent it from recruiting more foreign fighters. Half-measures are self-defeating, as they will only highlight American weakness and leave the door open for wider insurrection.
Harold Rhode served for 28 years as an analyst covering Middle Eastern affairs at the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense. Joseph Raskas is a combat veteran of the IDF.
(Jerusalem Post)
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