Return of the Prodigal or Casting out of Demons
The impending defeat of ISIS/Daesh, call them what you will, raises two
questions which might impact on our society much more than we think.
The first issue to be addressed is why on earth anyone, and not merely the
delusional “Leader of the Free World”, thinks they have been defeated with
the end of their Caliphate?
The conventional ground war was never going to offer anything other than a
Pyrrhic victory to an organisation whose reign was based more on terror
than ideology and which faced odds so overwhelming that the outcome was
inevitable.
Their goal was surely
achieving a place on the
world stage, an entry in
the lexicography of
religious
fundamentalism, if that
is not an inappropriate
use of the words and, in
that at least, they have
undoubtedly succeeded.
They are known.
They are loathed.
They are feared.
And, what is more, they will not disappear with the loss of their physical
territory.
They will disperse, they will form terror cells across the globe, and they will
strike – perhaps where and when it is least expected.
How the rest of the world responds will determine whether or not they
become a footnote in history or a blight on the historical landscape for years
to come.
Which brings us to the second issue, how should the UK respond to the
proposed return of a teenage mother who, depending on your point of view:
•
•
•
•
is more sinned against than sinning
is an unrepentant supporter of brutal regime and “unfazed” by its
actions
is the victim of radicalisation when immature and easily influenced
is a genuine threat to our security?
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