Accession Number:

AD1175854

Title:

Combatting the Islamic State: Countering the Islamist Ideology

Descriptive Note:

[Technical Report, Research Paper]

Corporate Author:

MARINE CORPS COMMAND AND STAFF COLL QUANTICO VA

Personal Author(s):

• Foley, Thomas J.

Report Date:

2015-04-02

Pagination or Media Count:

43

Abstract:

The U.S. continues to struggle with its approach to degrade and destroy the Islamic State IS, and currently, the demand for accountability has prompted the Obama Administration to develop the impromptu strategy of conducting an air campaign against the terror group. While military force is a viable option of destroying targets, the primary obstacle facing U.S. leaders is correctly identifying the threat. The Islamic State presents a substantial threat to the stability of the Middle East. It is brutal, and well-funded, and it controls a vast array of weapons an Soldiers to fight armies in Iraq and Syria simultaneously. IS uses social media to broadcast the beheadings of Western journalists and the mass murders of Iraqi army Soldiers. It threatens the United States. at home and abroad, while increasing its footprint throughout Iraq and Syria. These events instantly gained the worlds attention and exposed the fact that U.S. foreign policy is weak and the use of only military force is the wrong approach to combating this determined and formidable threat.

Descriptors:

Subject Categories:

• Unconventional Warfare
• Government and Political Science
• Humanities and History

Distribution Statement:

[A, Approved For Public Release]