It remains a real threat to both our interests and our allies throughout the Middle East.
There are no slick solutions when it comes to meeting the challenge of ISIS. But here’s what can and should be done.
Ancient religions and practices survived in the Middle East partly because of a streak of tolerance in Islam.
And, yes, it could be a woman.
Politically repressive, religiously moderate, pro-capitalist in thinking and ex-communist in feel, the country is bound up with British jobs, interests and prosperity.
Ofsted recently scolded a CofE primary school in Bolton for failing to celebrate “religious and cultural diversity” – even though it already celebrates Eid and Diwali.
British MPs voting for the recognition of Palestine would not transform ISIS into liberal consumers of Love your Garden or Strictly Come Dancing.
Some the darkest deeds in modern history were justified and committed by those convinced of the rational, practical and downright progressive nature of their cause.
IS’s beheadings, forced conversions and jizya, plus the plight of the Yezidis – all illustrate the need.
His Sunday Telegraph article dangles an olive branch at the Ayatollahs.
Right now the aims of our policy are necessarily limited: arm Kurdistan, secure Jordan, prevent the relatively moderate rebels in Syria from being entirely overrun.
It is at the cross-roads of the Shia-Sunni conflict, yet remains outside of it. It is a majority Muslim country, but with a history of peaceful co-existence.
It didn’t even come close to calling a spade a spade until the BBC reported Obama ordering airstrikes.
Reading the Counter-Terrorism Bill led me to reflect on why my reaction to it is so different from those other Muslims whom I encounter complaining about it.