The reader may genuinely wonder whether I am crazy to write an article in defense of an organization that most media, politicians and public describe with the most unpalatable of adjectives. To clarify I am writing about the Islamic state or ISIS. Also I am not in anyway their supporter (I am a through and through Catholic) but rather consider myself as a neutral observer of history.
This is not an article to to justify their actions which I find equally abhorrent. My motivation to write this purely on the basis of what I consider the fairness doctrine which in some ways allows you to put yourself in the others shoe and gain a better perspective. Another fact that motivated me was the pathetic show of selfishness and cowardice by United States when they conducted airstrikes against them in the recent days.
I start by asking a simple question. What makes ISIS more horrendously evil that the other insurgents/regimes/governments in the middle east or the wider world today? Is the Syrian regime with the blood of nearly a quarter of a million of their own citizen any better. Is Iran any better aiding, and abetting the destruction of entire societies in Syria, Palestine, and Iraq just to further their intrests. Is the Iraqi government any better. Are the Gulf countries any better with democracy and human rights.
Now I want to go back a few decades in history and look the Western world which poses itself as the last bastion of Human rights. Where was it not barbarism when US nuked Japan or carpet bombed Vietnam. Was it not fomenting sectarian strife when Britain split India and turned a blind eye to Hindu's and Muslims killing each other by the tens of thousands. Was it not ethnic cleansing when Russian uprooted the Tartars and deported them to Central Asia. Was it not religious Intolerance when Catholics were hunted down in Japan, China, Mexico. Was it not blatant territory grab when China invaded and annexed Tibet.
I could go on and on about nearly every country in the world.Yet all these countries I listed above have managed to white wash their blood with excuse like 'National Interest, political expediency etc' or what can be better termed as protecting their own thin skin. All of these countries share the world stage and comfortably look the other way at their own blood stained paths.
Now I ask, how can a neutral observer of History say with conviction that the 'Islamic state' is more evil than other countries based on their actions till now. Looking through their lens they are fledgling state with mortal enemies on all sides who would have their blood and destroy them given the chance to do so. To establish their state they resort to all tactics that intimidate, their enemies as well as raise their own morale.
It may sound unbelievable but the fact may be that there is a huge segment of the Muslim population in Syria and Iraq who would find some sort of salvation in the idea of an Islamic state. They may be a sanctuary for destitute Syrian refugee women in Lebanon or a means to get justice for the disenfranchised Sunni tribes.
Many in the world might be hailing the recent airstrikes by US on the Islamic state forces. But to me it reveals the visceral icon of selfishness that is the US political establishment today. Where were the security council resolutions and air strikes as thousands where killed with Chemical weapons in Syria by the regime. The US strikes are just to earn some moral high ground and safe guard the business investments of US companies.
I conclude by saying that the actions of the Islamic state (despite their Barbarism) in all fairness does not make them any worse than the other nations existing today.
