The "New Normal" is here.

There's plenty of the inevitable talk about the mitigating circumstances and contributing factors that outside (western) forces place on groups of people that drive them into the arms of radical groups and compel them to commit horrific acts against innocents around the world, ostensibly in the name of their religion and "plight".   Some of it is an altruistic attempt to "connect the dots" to find a real solution to stop the virus that is radical islam, in this case.     Too much of it, however, is an exercise in blame-shifting engaged in by those who are not comfortable with the task of holding the immediate players accountable for their actions.

Consider this:   Let's say we take every reasonable account of the nefarious dynamics that every western nation ever inflicted upon middle eastern countries over the past 150 years, and lets say we took action in an attempt to "reverse" those dynamics with the intent that it will "switch off" the radicalization movements around the globe.

Lets start with military forces, as this is the go-to argument for ever islamic fundamentalist in most cases, "NO INFIDELS ON SACRED SOIL", or some such bullshit.    Fine.   As of today, ALL foreign forces, bases, embassies, corporations, NGO's, etc are GONE from all areas that we identify as hotbeds of radicalization.

Do you really think anything changes? 

If you do, you're either an idiot or lying to yourselves.

Take the next argument:  "THEY DO THIS BECAUSE OF THE POVERTY WHICH HAS RESULTED FROM GENERATIONS OF WAR, MOST OF WHICH WAS AT THE HANDS OF WESTERN IMPERIALISTS!!!" .  

Ok.  So we are going to need to infuse these regions with "jobs".  How do you do that?   Do you provide grants to the kebab vendors on the street corners of Kabul?   Is that going to thrust the lower echelons OUT of poverty?   No?   Ok then, let's get some corporations in there which can create industries which will employ millions and provide the infrastructure and demand for education to move people in that direction.  

Shit.  Wait.  That means you have to bring back in some of that which you expelled in the name of "fixing" this issue.

Fuck it.  We'll just flood the areas with cash.  Pure cash.  That should fix it.  Cash fixes everything, right?  Then no one will be poor and no one will be gullible enough to be drawn into the radical islamic groups.    Right?   That will work, won't it?

Face it.  If we did EVERYTHING that ANYONE can conjure as an altruistic gesture to UNDO the dynamics which support and inspire this today, NOTHING would change.   The people in control of the radical groups will still do everything possible to incite violence and perpetuate poverty so that they have a fresh crop of bodies to strap bombs to, every single day.  Why?  Because they have power, they seek power, and they will protect their power base.

Therefore, what is left for us to do?   To attempt to appease these entities?   To go through the motions of treating them as a legitimate governmental entity?   To invite them to the table?

If you think that, you're part of the problem.   Nothing suggests that you can educate these individuals, at any level in their spectrum, as to the error of their ways.  Nothing suggests that you can implement or undo anything in the name of fiscal and corporate infrastructure which will pave a "way out" for those drawn into this.   Nothing suggests that a simple removal of all traces of western presence will create a change in motivation and mindset.

Though these groups are disparate (ISIS, Al Qaeda, etc), their behaviors and intentions overlap enough to create a shared interest.  That shared interest is death.   They are as willing to kill their own as they are to kill you and your family.

As difficult as it is to digest, i don't think there is anything to do other than to facilitate one side of that equation for them.  This isn't something to be negotiated with, or educated out of their caves with books and pencils.   It's existence will likely be perpetual from this day forward.  Exterminating it will be nearly impossible.   Containing it and contending with it for a very, very long time is likely all that can be done.

Welcome to the "new normal"