ISIS and War

ISIS represents a unique challenge for us.  Much like our battle with the Taliban and Al Quaida, we find ourselves at war with an idea in lieu of a nation state.  Until now, war between nation states has been the accustomed form of battle for mankind.  So, how will the West adapt?  The human cost of World Wars I and II is deeply ingrained into the culture of Western Europe and the United States.  Technological advancements in weaponry have made warfare an impersonal affair often fought with extreme distances between parties.  Can the West participate in a lengthy and deeply personal type of combat?

There will be no static front lines in our battle with ISIS and we'll need the full support of the established nation states in the Middle East.  Surgical removal of ISIS's leaders must be complemented with the precise planting of divergent philosophical seeds in our enemy's garden.  The battle will be won when the middleman in their backyard recognizes the commonality of our hope.  Make no bones about it, we'll need boots on the ground where they're least expected.  These operators will need to use stealth, surprise, and violence of action to eliminate ISIS power brokers.  Drones, bombs, missiles, and distant aircraft will have their place but at the end of the day, forcing our enemy to face the man who will end his short time on earth will be more powerful than any Tomahawk missile.

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