The lessons of history haven't permeated Western policies toward the Middle East and specifically ISIS. Americans and their leaders don't seem to understand what is driving the massively effective recruitment of the ISIS image. No matter how benevolent, no people like to be subjected to what amounts to an occupation. From Roman times the history of the Middle East repeatedly demonstrates the response of these civilizations to being under the heel of another peoples' boot.
The American occupation both implicitly in Iran and explicitly in Iraq has led to the rise of violent insurgencies. The solution to ISIS being proposed by most Americans, most notably the conservatives and their mouth-pieces is -- a bigger boot.
The crippling policies against Germany after World War I led to Germany's retaliation in World War II. Likewise, bombing the hell out of ISIS only strengthens the movement and its desire for greater public violence as an expression of honor.
Policies of Obama to addressing the ISIS situation seems to appreciate this psychology. Most likely the experiences of a black growing up in America shapes his disposition to this issue. It's a fact to which the privileged cannot relate, can only give lip service, and most definitely cannot lead the world toward a resolution.
America must take a secondary and supportive position to Middle Eastern nations. Islam as a religion and its purpose of existence is in turmoil with the multiple interpretations warring for dominance. The only solution is to respect the dignity of the Islamic people to find their own answers. Without question that will be a long and painful process. Attempts of outside influences to accelerate the process by interjecting themselves into this "family war" only provides the warring parties a reason to consolidate, such as in the case of Al Qaeda, against the common evil.
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