Why Attack Paris?

The recent terrorist attacks in Paris, described by French President Hollande as an attack on the values of democracy and civility, were shocking and horrifying, yet were they inevitable or to be expected? No matter what may be thought about it, ISIS is a formidable enemy whose movement forward will not stop until a significant counter force is in place to stop it.

There are various opinions regarding the motives for this attack. Some say it was caused by unrest in the Parisian banlieues, revenge for bombings in Syria, inadequate intelligence because of encryption. Some even blame the attack on Ed Snowden.

Others believe the reasons for the attacks are rooted in the fact that ISIS has been losing ground in Syria and Iraq. Success in containing ISIS on its own territory has made the group more dangerous on an international scale. The more losses ISIS suffers on the battlefield the more it may move toward international terror attacks such as the one in Paris.

For a realistic attempt to be made in understanding the motives of ISIS, it is important to know exactly what this movement represents.

Much of what ISIS does appears to make little sense to the rest of the world. What must be understood is the group's devotion to the idea of bringing the world back into the 17th century in preparation for an apocalypse. As per conversations, ISIS leaders and members are clear that they will only strictly abide by the Prophet Muhammad's earliest teachings.

Contrary to what is thought by many, ISIS is not just a band of bloodthirsty lunatics. They are strict Islamists. Of course ISIS has its share of madmen, but the primary tenet of this group is a deeply religious one. The Islamic State is essentially waiting to defeat the army of "Rome" and bring about the apocalypse. The group's extreme violence stems from its core belief that it must cleanse the world by killing massive numbers of people.

A great mistake has been made by nations in not understanding that al-Qaeda and ISIS are quite different. ISIS departs from al-Qaeda in the earnestness with which it devotes itself to medieval traditions that have not been considered for over 200 years. Crucifixions, beheadings and slavery are simply part of that tradition.

Said ISIS spokesperson, Adnani in a message to the West "We will conquer your Rome, break your crosses, and enslave your women. If we do not reach that time, then our children and grandchildren will reach it, and they will sell your sons as slaves at the slave market." Their motive is that of a duty to revive the caliphate, a particularly old and extreme form of Islamic law.

The purpose of terrorism in their view is not revenge or to drive the West from their lands. Apparently the idea, the obligation, is to terrorize, to create extreme fear using massive brutality simply to avoid extended warfare and hasten their victory.

There are those who say the Paris attacks were the work of a few "lone wolf" supporters of the Islamic State, rageful amateurs, unable to join ISIS because of confiscated passports, or other reasons. Some say Paris might also be a more likely recruiting ground for ISIS than other European cities. There has long been great tension in France's Muslim community. George Packer, a foreign correspondent for The New Yorker who reported on the Iraq war, stated in an August article, "The Other France," that Paris suburbs are possibly an "incubator for terrorism."

Much evidence points to ISIS as the source of the attacks. Calling Paris "the capital of prostitution and vice" in a statement, the Islamic State has in fact claimed responsibility for the attacks. ISIS also stated that France and "all nations following in its path" are "at the top of the target list for the Islamic State."

So it looks as though the attacks were in fact perpetrated by ISIS, not ISIS copycats. Either way, the threat is the same. Other European countries, such as the UK take it very seriously. UK: Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said that the extent of the events in France and the sophistication of weaponry used are a "serious cause for concern".

One may conclude that the world's struggle with The Islamic State is in fact a type of war. ISIS is a very determined and devout group of fanatics who believe deeply in their cause and will not stop until they are stopped.

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