The Counterterrorism Strategy Against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or Daesh continues to spread and create instability throughout the Middle East, northern Africa, and Asia. Their propaganda and insidious campaign of influence extends globally, manipulating or recruiting young men and women who are willing to die for Daesh. President Obama has acknowledged that we do not have a complete strategy to combat the threat. Defense Secretary Carter has acknowledged that the military is reviewing how to increase the effectiveness of our campaign and that an additional 450 troops would deploy to Iraq to expand the advise and assist mission. While often characterized as a terrorist organization, ISIL/Daesh fights and behaves like an army. They remain well-funded and resourced, and they do not necessarily need overwhelming numbers to win on the battlefield, only an ability to strike fear in the hearts of those they encounter. Are we on the right path to defeat ISIL/Daesh? What problems exist with our current counterterrorism strategy? What other actions could be taken to counter this evolving national security threat?