ISIS, the Islamic States of Iraq and Syria, has left a tragic impression on the lives of those in their physical reach, as well as a scar in the collective minds of our world. Their loathsome actions over the past five months are simply condemnable, and their control of the region is only growing in strength.

The land under their influence takes up roughly 13,000 miles², (comparable to the size of Belgium), and the casualties from their oppressive, totalitarian fist increase in number on a daily basis. The group is well-funded, effectively-led, extremely organized, and eager to make a name for itself. They have explicitly stated their desire to strike America, Israel, Britain, and any other nation that sympathizes with said states.

The most obvious use of scare-tactics by the group is the four, separate beheadings of American and British hostages. James Foley and Steven Sotloff, both American civilians held hostage by ISIS forces, were executed consecutively with messages aimed at the United States. Foley and Sotloff’s deaths were preceded by a forced explanation from the victims regarding the terrorist organization’s actions. Following the Sotloff execution, (which brought America’s allies to attention), British citizen David Haines met his unfortunate demise at the blade of the masked assailant known simply as Jihadi John. Haines’ video was concluded with the unveiling of yet another British captive, Alan Henning.

On October 3rd, ISIS released the footage of Henning’s beheading. The message was again directed at the British government. Alan was reportedly confident in his release according to officials, but his demise dashed those aspirations. Alan Henning was an aid worker in Syria, and his recent death is yet another travesty under the ISIS regime. At the conclusion of the new video, American citizen Abdul-Rahman Kassig was revealed as the next possible victim. Kassig served as an Army Ranger in Iraq, but was in Syria to assist with the refugees of the civil war. His mother and father have been making desperate pleas for their son’s life with the terror groups.

ISIS’ leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has made clear of his intentions to involve the United States and its allies in “direct conflict” with the group. He has been granted his wish to a degree, as airstrikes have been deployed against the ISIS forces threatening civilian lives. President Obama has stuck to his notorious “no boots on the ground” campaign, but has blurred the lines of that promise with the 1,600 US advisors deployed to aid the Iraqi Army in their defense. Under the strategy of a unified assault, the President has withheld full military operations until he has the support of the international community. Nations in the direct line of fire from these panic-inducing brutes have been quick to join in, but the immediately unaffected peoples of the world have leaned towards staying out of additional conflicts.

Britain’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, has had no hesitation from hunting down the people who threaten his nation, nor did he shy away from his obligation to retaliate. American Vice-President, Joe Biden, also returned ISIS’ threats with a strong retort, saying, “We will follow them to the gates of hell until they are brought to justice. Because hell is where they will reside.” The bold words ignited the New Hampshire crowd, (home to Steven Sotloff), but split the American public’s opinion. Western-civilization is quite worn from the three decades of Middle Eastern conflicts, and the idea of further complications and loss of lives outweigh the possible justice that could be delivered.

In addition to Britain’s deployment of the Royal Air Force, the nations of Belgium and Denmark are eagerly stepping into the fight. Their contributions will be a direct help to the cause as Belgium is preparing to assist in aerial assaults, in conjunction with Denmark who will be providing four operational planes, three reserve jets, as well as 250 pilots. The Danish Prime Minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, added that, “Everyone should contribute.”

Most recently, coordinated bombings of ISIS oil-fields have been quick, clean, and effective measures to combat the insurgents. The black-market oil dealings executed by the group nets an average of $2 million dollars a day, thus removing the lofty funds that support ISIS will, in turn, sweep the rug from beneath them.

The reciprocal of the public that’s repulsed by ISIS’ actions is the 15,000 people from over 80 countries that have joined the group’s cause as reported by the CIA. Of this minority, there are roughly 2,000 Europeans, as well as over 100 Americans. The latter of which have been reported to have re-entered the United States. The FBI is researching further means to prevent such phenomenon, and monitor the combatants currently presiding in our nation.

Although pacifistic-diplomacy is a very fair and justifiable route to pursue, the indecencies committed by ISIS must be answered. Tales of crucifixions, mass executions, destruction of entire communities, desecration of religious monuments, numerous murders of women and children, along with brutal recruiting measures cannot be ignored by human rights moderators around the world. The violation of basic understandings of war and combat are inexcusable, and intervention must be pursued; regardless of the political ramifications from doing so.

Jacob Wilkes – Junior Copy Editor

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