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4 comments

[–] Butler_crosley 1 points (+1|-0)

Whack-a-Mole continues...

[–] CDanger 1 points (+1|-0)

Yup, and I wouldn't expect this to end in our lifetime. The best we can do is leave these ignorant people alone in their own countries instead of putting boots on the ground.

[–] PhunkyPlatypus 1 points (+1|-0)

I think the best thing we can do is improve the conditions and education of these countries.

Without desperate men with nothing to lose, their recruitment will dwindle to nothing.

[–] CDanger 1 points (+1|-0)

Education and economic growth certainly couldn't hurt anything, and this will come to an end (or at least be reduced) as these countries develop, modernize, and culturally reject extremism and violence. But I think they need to be the ones leading that change. Expecting western nations to educate 1/3 of the world is quite a tall order, and I could imagine it backfiring even more: these countries would resent the encroachment of western culture and values forced upon them. Indeed this is how Sayyid Qutb (the "father" of modern Islamic fundamentalism) became radicalized, and if he thought 1950s middle-America was morally corrupt, imagine the reception to modern women's rights, gay marriage, transgenders, etc. These issues are a culture war in the US, but in these countries polls would likely show less than 1% support for these issues. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayyid_Qutb#Criticisms_of_American_culture_and_society

Interestingly studies have shown that suicide bombers and terrorists tend to be relatively wealthy and educated. Maybe those worried about where the next meal is coming from are focused on more worldly matters while those who have their immediate needs satisfied feel the existential angst like a moody teenager. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/05/islamic-state-recruits-world-bank-study-education-boko-haram