Expert reactions to the “Isis papers” (Report, 8 December) indicate a startling level of surprise that Islamic State/Daesh is capable of the coherence, logic, complexity and, indeed, vision exhibited in these documents. This has long been evident in their carefully scripted and edited propaganda, both visual and written. We must stop viewing Isis simply as “evil-doers” and recognise their depth of planning and, yes, intelligence – both of which we ignore at our peril. The leaking of these plans is a critical moment for world leaders to change course in how they view, and fight, Isis.
There’s no doubt acts of violence that target civilians are horrific, but, as these documents show, the assumption that the architects of such violence are therefore irrational, insane and/or nihilistic is a different matter. We gain little more than the comfort of easy answers with this assumption and at the cost of ignoring all the contradictory evidence hidden, as it were, in plain view. Like it or not, Isis have an analysis and indictment of the world we can at least recognise, quite elaborate plans to remake it, and their violence serves complex purposes. Confronting this reality requires intelligence-gathering of a different kind – often overlooked, but crucial, if we ever hope to stop them in their tracks.
Proefessor Roxanne Euben
Professor of political science, Wellesley College, Massachusetts, USA
• Simon Jenkins misses the point (Opinion, 10 December). It isn’t fear that causes people to advocate bombing in the Syrian war but a sense of outrage as to what is happening to that country and its people. I don’t think bombs are the ultimate answer, but at present what alternative do we have other than to stand on the sidelines and watch a country’s destruction? And, yes, I can equate Isis with Hitler, who invaded other people’s lands, killed (gassed rather than beheaded) those whose religion he didn’t like and did his best to destroy a people’s art and culture. I don’t see a lot of difference.
Anne Hutton
London
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