Last ISIS camp in Baghouz is captured
With the help of the U.S., the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) captured the last ISIS encampment in Baghouz. While this is significant progress, there are still occasional gun fights between the last few ISIS militants fighting to defend the tiny piece of land their camp has been reduced to. The head of the SDF press office, Mustafa Bali, has stated that this is not victory yet, just another progression in the fight against ISIS. This is quite significant because at one time the terrorist group’s territory spanned hundreds of miles through Syria and Iraq. Since the SDF has started recapturing ISIS territory, more than 60,000 people have emerged from the area. Many of whom were ISIS fighters and supports, but there have also been ISIS victims. Of these victims are Yazidi women and children who were used as slaves.
Other wars against terrorism have not occured in history and the current fight is constantly changing with the introduction of new technology. Despite the war taking place in Syria, the fighting against terrorism concerns all people, so cooperative diplomatic relations is vital to the continuing fight.
I think that capturing Baghouz is good news, but there is still a long way to go before ISIS can be eradicated.
- How might the government react to concerns about ISIS fighters/supporters leaving the territory?
- Do you think it’s possible for someone to completely change their ideology after being raised up believing it?
I do think that it's possible for someone to change their ideology to a certain extent over time. However, I don't think it's possible to totally erase those experiences from the person's life. People can change their beliefs and their ways, however, it shouldn't be forced, it should be a choice. People will always remember their experiences in the past, but they can learn to embrace new ideals. If individuals are presented with a new way that they genuinely think is better then they will be able to change their ideology but it will take time and it will never totally erase what they had known before.
ReplyDeleteI think it´s entirely possible for a person to denounce a past way of thought or change their ideology even after growing up with it. Especially in certain religions, older generation or societal pressure makes it seem like the norm to assimilate and subscribe to a religion from childhood throughout one´s life simply because it is what´s expected. Although certain influences stick with people throughout their lives, a single experience or event can alter a person´s world view or convince them to change their ideology.
ReplyDeleteI think that the government might be concerned about ISIS fighters/supporters leaving the territory because this could mean one of two things. First, the dispersal of the supporters could lead to the dispersal of the ideologies behind the terrorist group. Thus, this could burgeon the amount of support for the ideology which could lead to the reemergence of the terrorists in another part of Syria. However, this could also mean that the existing supporters will not stick up to continue their beliefs. Thus, this could lead to the fizzling out of the ideology which would lead to the end of another terrorist group. At the same time, the dispersal of ISIS supporters could lead to them all changing their ideologies, and I strongly believe that this is plausible. I think that it is entirely possible for someone to change their ideology after being raised believing it because they may have only believed it due to their community standards. Thus, with the lack of community, they would have their own freedom to see if they want to stick to their old ideology or change to a new belief system.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I think it is definitely possible for someone to change their ideology or point of view, I think in this situation it should be considered with more scrutiny. The primary reason being the extremist nature of the ideology that ISIS preached. Typically, people can change political ideologies without a great amount of difficulty. However, some people have been born and raised under the teachings of ISIS, and may still continue to support the cause, even if ISIS has been defeated. For this reason, I do not think it would be safe to allow people to leave without a proper screening and evaluation.
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