Need to talk to Daesh.
When we had the IRA bombing the British mainland, we were dealing with an opponent that had a set political objective; an independent self-governing, united Ireland. This is such a specific aim, that talking has benefits. It worked because despite their loathsome methods, their objectives were rational.
Daesh is the epitome of irrational. They are religious nutters that thrive in death. Their objective, if they have one that can be reasonably determined, is death to the unbeliever. The only compromise with them, therefore, is enforced conversion to their brand of Islam. So, matey, good luck with that one.
If we just dismiss Isis as merely a mad death cult we are deceiving ourselves.
No, we’re not. That is precisely what they are. They believe, passionately, that their God is right and right behind them in everything they do.
Unfortunately they are highly rational and shrewd, even if horrifically brutal. They know that killing a western hostage on TV in a new and grotesque manner will grab our attention in a way that beheading 70 Kurds never would. They know that an attack on Paris, or blowing up a Russian airliner, will lead to the spiral of escalation they want. If we are going to end the violence we need to respond coolly and calmly to what they do, rather than in the hot flush of emotion.
Quite so. Coolly, rationally, and with determination, we – and I mean every civilised nation on the planet needs to wipe this cancer from the face of the Earth. You do not negotiate with these people, for there is nothing to negotiate. This is not a rational enemy like the IRA. It is similar to Imperial Japan – and look what happened to stop them. I seem to recall that killing our way out of that war was what finally became necessary.
First we need to consider why they have political support.
We already know this. Shit-holes such as Saudi Arabia produce and export the violent extreme Wahhabi version Islam that lies at the heart of this creed. These are, after all, the creatures that are planning mass executions of people for offences that, in the civilised world, aren’t offences at all. The only difference between Saudi Arabia and Daesh is that the Saudis are our allies – to our eternal shame. Frankly, with allies like them, we don’t need enemies.
So, no, we should not be talking to Daesh.
Daesh is the epitome of rational. They are religious nutters that thrive in death. Their objective, if they have one that can be reasonably determined, is death to the unbeliever. The only compromise with them, therefore, is enforced conversion to their brand of Islam.
I think you mean the antithesis.
Bugger, yes. Although what I meant to write was the epitome of irrational…
Corrected.
I’m pretty much in agreement, there are some people who simply cannot be reasoned with and if these people want to see you dead there is really no alternative to seeing them dead first.
OT but I just want to say how much I enjoy your random links to old posts. I’ve just read one about conspiracy theories.
You cannot reason with the unreasonable.
If another person tries to tell me that Islam is a “religion” of peace…I’ll knock it’s head off…!!!
It depends, same as with christianity.
Examples, c first, i afterwards:
Peaceful: Quaker, Sufi
Moderate: CofE, Ismaili
Raving murderous nutters: Inquisition, Da’esh ( I suppose I ought to add J Calvin to this list too, the shit, but you get the idea? )
Might I suggest that you always refer to this crowd as ISIL or ISIS. “Daesh” is the politically correct descriptor (although it is the Arabic acronym for . . . ISIL) which avoids the use or allusion to the word “Islam”. As I’m sure you’re aware, according to Cameron and the rest of the political class, ISIL has nothing to do with Islam – and Daesh has even less connection. By using the Daesh descriptor you’re playing their game. Nor, BTW, are ISIL – as described by Benn last night – “fascists”: well some might be, but whatever political ideas they might ascribe to, without doubt they’re all Moslems.
No.
Apparently, they hate being called “Da’esh” so shall we all do it?
And they have everything to do with islam, same as the murderers J Calvin & the Inquisition had everything to do with christianity