The Mystery Of ISIS

What could these people want? What could be the start of negotiations with them? Here's a missive from one of their leaders that might shed some light on the subject.

"You should know, you defender of the cross, that getting others to fight on your behalf will not do for you in Syria as it will not do for you in Iraq," the (ISIS) leader, known as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, reportedly wrote. "And soon enough, you will be in direct confrontation — forced to do so, God willing. And the sons of Islam have prepared themselves for this day. So wait, and we will be waiting, too."

I don't know about you, but that's completely confusing to me. Looking at my handy-dandy strategic peacebuilding chart, I can't seem to find where "We're going to kill all of you" fits in.

I'm guessing that our best entry point would be Non-Violent Social Change. It seems to fit the situation pretty well.

Nonviolent Social Change 

• Active nonviolence
• Community organizing, mobilization or social action/movements
• Issue-based educational campaigns
• Media/journalism/writing 
• Minority and marginalized empowerment and civil rights advocacy 

I liked the community organizing in particular. Luckily, we have a president to understands how empowerment and dialog solves problems. "The only lasting solution is reconciliation among Iraqi communities," he said.

If anyone can get ISIS to see the value of non-violence, it will be Nobel Prize winning President Obama. Oh, sure, yesterday wasn't such a good day, but today will offer new opportunities to promote cultural understanding.