It’s time the United States helped put an end to ISIS.
Those who worry the United States’ involvement could place our soldiers in another Iraq War situation need to think about how much more terror ISIS could spread if they aren’t stopped. They need to think about how each video of an innocent person’s beheading builds pride amongst these black-masked savages. That pride needs to be erased.
While the U.S. has faced fair criticism for its numerous interventions in foreign affairs, this is a different situation and a very different enemy.
Sure, on the surface ISIS is another radical Islamic militant group bent on abolishing Christianity and the Western world. They aren’t the first to create inhuman videos glorifying the decapitation of innocents; the Taliban has made several. ISIS, however, separates itself with its numbers and its ability to operate like a legitimate army. ISIS has sophisticated weaponry, including Soviet tanks, anti-aircraft guns, rocket launchers and grenade launchers. They also have the skill to use them.
ISIS is a new kind of threat – a brutal death cult intent on terrorizing and killing. Whereas other Islamic extremists commit acts of terror due to their distorted religious views, ISIS fights for blood. There is no misguided religious agenda.
Latest estimates show that 31,000 ISIS soldiers have mobilized in Iraq and Syria. As of today, three beheadings – first, two American journalists and now David Haines, a British aid worker – have been recorded and spread around the world via the internet and television. This is what ISIS wants. They want us to see these videos. They want us to cower and turn away. Right now they have the upper hand; they invoke fear.
Obama issued a statement on Saturday, following the release of Haines’ beheading video.
“Our hearts go out to the family of Mr. Haines and to the people of the United Kingdom. The United States stands shoulder to shoulder with our close friend and ally in grief and resolve. We will work with the United Kingdom and a broad coalition of nations from the region and around the world to bring the perpetrators of this outrageous act to justice, and to degrade and destroy this threat to the people of our countries, the region and the world,” Obama said.
Obama’s words carry the weight ISIS has placed on our nations and the families of these victims. But if we stand by while ISIS takes more lives, what good are words? We need to turn these words into action.
