How would you stop ISIS?

[Peter Grossetti]

Someone in an unrelated thread posed this question. It merits discussion. Have at it.

[ryan costa]

Spanish Influenza. just kidding.

When the secular authoritarian government of Afghanistan was overthrown in the late 80s, Afghanistan collapsed into anarchy and the Taliban and Al Queda took root. America had a clear mandate and broad international support for invading in 2001. It is possible it would have gone much better if we had focused on Afghanistan, and not invaded Iraq.

When the secular authoritarian government of Iraq was overthrown, the place fell into anarchy and Isis emerged. It might have been much more salvageable if the Bush administration had left Jay Garner in charge, but they replaced him with Paul Bremer. oh well.

When the secular authoritarian government of Libya was overthrown, anarchy prevailed and Isis took root. There are interesting stories about Isis and Al Queda competing with each other for hearts and minds there. go figure.

So...when the Syrian secular authoritarian regime is removed...the place will fall into anarchy, and Isis will take root.

Each new wave of American leaders is tempted to repeat these things...to prove they can do it better than the previous wave of leaders who tried it.

On the other hand, most terrorists seem to come from Saudi Arabia. Most Saudi Arabians are not terrorists. Just as a small portion of the children of wealthy or upper middle class americans become worthless hippies, the popular thing for a small portion of prosperous young Saudi Arabians to do is become some jihadist or joint a terrorist organization. The plus side of perpetual war in the middle east is it allows U.S. bases to be handy in case there is some bizarre coup in Saudi Arabia.