It seems that ISIS has struck again. After a preliminary investigation, United States intelligence is increasingly confident that the so-called Islamic State was responsible for the downing of a Russian passenger jet over Egypt that killed 224 people on October 31.
Over the last two years in particular we have witnessed terrible atrocities committed by the Islamic State, the targeting and killing of Christians among some of their most egregious crimes; and there is no indication that ISIS plans to relent any time soon as is evidenced by this recent act of terror. It is truly unfortunate that a radical sect bent on terror is attempting to hijack Islam.
On Sunday, both parties of Congress expressed to President Obama the need to step up attacks on ISIS. Sen. Diane Feinstein (D — California), vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said that she hopes this will be a wake-up call to President Obama. She stated that using only a small group of Special Forces would not eliminate ISIS. Pope Francis himself has not ruled out the use of force to combat ISIS.
Certainly, every diplomatic effort must be exhausted before resorting to more force. However, with a growing threat as dangerous as ISIS, the use of increased force cannot be ruled out. The United States, however, cannot do this alone; it will take the continued commitment and cooperation of the International community to stop the spread of the ISIS cancer.
