What’s the best way to
combat it? Surely not only with weapons. An entity that operates also in digital
territory to be conquered without impunity. Besides, it might be just the
beginning, with all terrorist groups expanding online. An underestimated threat
used to recruit terrorists and inspire attacks. A psychological warfare that
helps immensely the physical one reducing the possibility of next revolts by
oppressed populations. A broad-scale tactic that would require a similar
comprehensive opposite strategy.
We’re facing highly educated leaders setting their
agenda in a managerial way and then operating offline/online. Not to mention
sympathizers, helping ISIS to disseminate its radical message in order to
convert people to their ideology. And here’s the trick: apparently spreading
extremism on line is not illegal, based on their right to free speech. I don’t
think it should require considerable efforts to change a little bit our laws in
this particular regard.
Nevertheless it can be marginalized, isolated as a
digital threat. Still a possible, future, digital threat but incapable of
growing on internet. Preventing the group’s messages to reach millions of
people would prevent those people reaching later their ranks in combat. Whether
this is easier said than done remains to be seen, because it would involve all
internet/digital operators at all levels: all accounts have very strict privacy
settings. You can well picture the relative difficulties.
Probably it would be much easier to covertly
infiltrate ISIS’ internet connections with fake accounts. They may have
passwords, encryption, rigid privacy settings but fortunately they’re also
traceable, identifiable….ergo: weak. That’s to our governments’ advantage, with
far superior technology capabilities elaborating software programs to quickly
identify their digital leaders, probably even already in use. Let’s not forget
that all the digital platforms belong to companies that oppose ISIS ideology
and can’t be shut down.
You have a homework too: keep your eyes wide open
while using internet! Be ready to quickly report dubious accounts.
Stop the money and the whole world will stop: this should
be another very effective way to combat it.
It should apply to ISIS as well, shouldn’t it?! So
what IS complicated?!
Surprisingly enough (and supposedly) it’s not fully
understood where the money comes from, because it’s not a State, it’s an entity.
I don’t know if it’s true. It certainly comes from oil black market and
antiquities smuggling: so the real question is WHO’s buying.
Please….! In reality ISIS earns $50 millions a
month selling oil to local buyers, smugglers, THE SYRIAN REGIME ITSELF and
Turkey. That’s how much it’s radicated and that’s the root of the problem: the
Islamic “State” is even using banks and financial exchanges in Iraq.
So military force alone will never be enough (could
someone explain this to Putin, please?!) to beat ISIL.
The remaining plausible excuse (not to intervene
decisively) is that international efforts are trying to understand who assists
them, hoping to dismantle the whole network. I'll leave the decision to
believe it or not up to you.
….Always humble,
Angiolino
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