We cannot become immune to the atrocities of Isis
The rise of lone wolves acting in the name of the 'caliphate' means the battlefield in the fight against extreme Islamism is inside every country
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The terrorist attacks in Dhaka and Baghdad, which followed hard on the heels of the atrocity at Istanbul’s airport, are a reminder that we must not become immune to the atrocities of Isis just because they are becoming more frequent and predictable in style.
It is to be welcomed that Isis and its affiliates are losing ground in its battles in Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Yemen and Egypt. But there was always likely to be a chilling downside.
Being under military pressure means that Isis feels it needs show its supporters, as well as its enemies, that is still in business and can capture headlines around the world. It was no coincidence that it struck in Baghdad only a week after a highly symbolic defeat at the hands of Iraqi forces in Fallujah, less than an hour’s drive away. To make matters even worse, Isis is also involved in a gruesome battle for supremacy with al-Qaeda.
Isis will not be defeated by military means alone. The battlefield is inside every country. The rise of “lone wolves” acting in the name of Isis, without any direct indoctrination or training, means this is just as important a part of the narrative in the new world order as the economics of a Europe after Brexit.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments