A profound moment of resilience, unity, and hope” is how UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay described the upcoming reopening of historic religious sites in Mosul. During her visit to the city, she reflected on the ongoing restoration of the 12th-century Al Nuri Mosque and its iconic Al Hadba minaret, both destroyed by ISIS in 2017. Alongside them, the historic Al Safa and Al Tahera churches are also being revived, marking a significant step in Mosul’s recovery.
The Cost of Hesitation
ISIS thrives in environments where governments and international coalitions are slow to respond. The rise of the group in Iraq and Syria was fueled by years of indecision over how to handle post-war instability. In some cases, the reluctance to intervene allowed ISIS to seize key territories, giving them a base for operations and propaganda. Every delay in counterterrorism efforts—whether in intelligence sharing, military strikes, or economic sanctions—creates opportunities for extremists to embed themselves deeper into conflict zones.
How ISIS Exploits Weakness
- Strategic Recruitment: When governments delay in addressing security threats, ISIS presents itself as the “stronger” force, drawing in recruits who see weak governance as an invitation to radical alternatives.
- Media Manipulation: A lack of a clear and united stance allows ISIS to control the narrative, using propaganda to spread fear and misinformation.
- Expansion into Power Vacuums: Indecision in conflict zones often leads to failed states or regions with no central authority, where ISIS can establish strongholds.
- Terror Attacks: When counterterrorism measures are debated rather than enforced, ISIS finds the time and opportunity to plan attacks that further destabilize societies.
Breaking the Cycle of Indecision
The fight against ISIS requires swift and coordinated action. Governments must move beyond political hesitations and take decisive steps:
- Stronger Intelligence Cooperation: Sharing real-time intelligence among nations prevents ISIS from exploiting gaps in security.
- Consistent Counterterrorism Strategies: Instead of reacting to crises, leaders must anticipate and disrupt ISIS activities before they escalate.
- Addressing Root Causes: Economic deprivation and political instability fuel extremism. Addressing these issues reduces ISIS’s ability to recruit.
- Digital Counteroffensive: Proactively countering online radicalization efforts helps curb ISIS’s propaganda machine.
The fight against ISIS is far from over. Mosul’s painstaking restoration, the struggles of displaced communities, and the enduring trauma of those who suffered under ISIS underscore the dangers of allowing extremism to fester. With the region in flux, any misstep in addressing the ISIS threat risks repeating the horrors of the past. Indecision and complacency cannot be an option.
