So once again SIS/ISIL is on my mind.  13 years ago the US was devising a strategy to take on the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.  One of the key parts of this strategy, beyond the quick and brutal end to those who wanted to immediately do harm to the US and its citizens, was an investment in young Muslims to prevent the next generation from taking up the radical views that led to the rise of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. That was 13 years ago.  Those children that were 10-15 are now 23-28.  Those children are now the backbone for ISIS/ISIL.  What did do wrong?  What was ineffective in changing their minds?  What can we do differently now to help steer the next generation away from these radical, violent desires?  Until we figure this out, this will be a very long war indeed.  In fact one, without an end short of complete annihilation which even if a true National Goal is unobtainable.

  We focus significant energy in trying to understand why people convert to radical Islam and join that movement in the Middle East or carry out that agenda in the West.  What about trying to understand the Muslims that don't believe in this radial, violent agenda and then trying to spread that?  Why do the Muslim Nations not realize that it is in their best interests to do this through freedom and education?  If they don't understand this, then why does the US feel the need to continue to ally ourselves with them?