After the Islamic State beheaded American James Foley, the US struck back with military action. Jordan and Egypt did the same when their own hostages were killed. Unfortunately, we can expect the same scene to be replayed again and again, writes Kathleen Parker in the Washington Post. ISIS is combining age-old atrocities with modern technology to spread its message of terror—and to lure the US and other nations to the battlefield. "These responses have a knee-jerk quality to them that speaks to concerns about a lack of strategy on our part, while enhancing the Islamic State’s recruitment and propaganda powers," writes Parker.
Do these "fresh horrors" truly demand these predictable responses? she wonders. The US is now debating a new military authorization for the president, but the arguments about the parameters of this particular war are tantamount to "playing chess with polar bears," writes Parker. Something has to change. "Our legislators and president will need more than noble intentions or good ol’ American values," she writes. "They’ll need the wisdom of the ages—and a coalition of the civilized world." Click for her full column. (More Islamic State stories.)
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