From a military perspective, the Islamic State is being defeated at every stronghold. In Syria, the self-proclaimed Islamic State capital of Raqqa is about to fall — the battle there is in the shaping phase as the United States-led coalition moves troops and materials into place to make the final push. In Mosul, Iraq, the largest city occupied by the Islamic State, the battle is in its final phases. The Iraqi army, with the help and support of the U.S., are pushing the last of the Islamic State fighters out of the city. Once the battles wind down, and the respective governments and people retake control, what will happen to the remaining Islamic State fighters?
The bigger concern is what will happen to the millions of Islamic State supporters and sympathizers? The remaining Islamic State leaders and fighters will move into the shadows — they will migrate to countries all over the world. Many countries see this as a vexing problem. The fighters and Islamic State leadership that escape the actual battle will spread to other nations, bringing their perverted ideology with them. Immigration to Europe by those fleeing the war zones brings with it the danger that Islamic State fighters will be among the refugees. The primary concern is that displaced Islamic State personnel will be able to link up with a global underground army of religious radicals.
For the most part, military attacks against the Islamic State have been the only focus. This laser-focus on military action is the same mistake that has been made for the past 25 years of fighting terrorism. The underlying causes of terrorism have never been addressed.
Read the rest of the piece at OpsLens.
Jon Harris is an OpsLens contributor and former Army NCO, civilian law enforcement officer, and defense contractor with over 30 years in the law enforcement community.
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