Editorial: #PrayforSyria

The recent terrorist attack on Paris has shaken the world and invigorated our determination to end the reign of ISIS in the middle-east before they can commit another brutal attack. Our hearts go out to those who have been affected by the atrocity. We do not know whether this event is an isolated incident or the beginning of a series of attacks from ISIS with the effort of demoralizing the world and showing their strength.

This would be an ironic methodology as this attack has only made us angry. ISIS’s increased warmongering is attracting the attention of countries that previously stayed out of the business of fighting terrorists. One month ago France had no intention of going to war yet now they are committed to the cause, with their president vowing to destroy the perpetrators of the recent attacks in Paris. France has had terrorism problems in the past such as the Charlie Hebdo shooting earlier this year, but this recent savage attack in Paris has pushed the French to the edge.

ISIS threw a punch in order to frighten us and they succeeded, but this fear, combined with our anger, is the driving force behind our actions against ISIS. If ISIS thinks they can continue to act like a playground bully, they’re going learn pretty fast that we don’t tolerate bullies. ISIS doesn’t seem to fully grasp the consequences of their actions. They’re enraging the world. Some of the most powerful countries in the world are realizing that they may not have the choice of disengagement. The war could find them just as easily and tragically as it found France.

There is one point that needs to be raised, however. Why is it only now that much of the world cares about ISIS? America has been engaged since the beginning and Russia has recently joined the fight with different motives, but other countries have overlooked the crisis. Many have been accepting refugees which is good, but none have taken action against ISIS. That is beginning to change now, but why did it take the attack on Paris for this change of attitude? ISIS has been brutally seizing land from Iraq and Syria for months. Whether we value those countries or not, we should value their citizens, their people.

The refugee crisis alone should attest to the horrors that are taking place every day in ISIS-controlled territory. The poor displaced people are running from the same horrors that we condemned in Paris. If ISIS can do so much damage and cause so much suffering in the city of light, how much turmoil can they cause in their own land? We know they’re committing genocide against Christians and Yazidis. 

That alone should cause countries to take action. It is important to note that the word “genocide” was created after the holocaust in order to more easily identify and deal with such cases. However, in a clear case of genocide, the world looks away because it would be too much effort or not beneficial for our own countries to step in and make a stand.

Paris was a horrible tragedy that we need to remember, but let’s not forget that it is not the only tragedy caused by ISIS. Tragedy is their business. It seems to be all they know. Paris stood out as an awful event because attacks like that don’t happen in Europe. We hear about the brutal and savage attacks from the middle-east too often. It’s the norm. We have become numb to the situation. ISIS is a plague to the world, and it needs to end, but that won’t happen if we don’t treat the atrocities in the Middle East like we treat the atrocity in Paris.

This opinion piece reflects the collective opinion of the LSNews.org editorial board. Its lead author was opinion editor Aaron Davies. It does not represent an official opinion of the Lampeter-Strasburg School District. Questions or concerns can be directed to lspioneernews@gmail.com

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