Publication

This brief first looks at the progress made by the so-called Islamic State (IS) in the Middle East and then analyzes the weaknesses in the US’ attempts to fight the group. To correct the latter deficiencies, the text’s author explores a simulation game that highlights three strategic paths the US and others could follow in their anti-ISIS efforts – 1) stay the course, 2) perform a diplomatic surge, or 3) resort to military occupation. The author concludes that ‘sustainable victory’ in each scenario is impossible without dealing with the Middle East’s most fundamental problems first – i.e., illegitimate governance, economic incompetence, sectarianism and religious hubris, regional proxy wars, and weak national militaries.