Quote: "In killing a journalist, particularly in such a gruesome way, ISIS has grossly miscalculated. It illustrates their barbaric mindset, and provides Western political leaders with a ready example to show their publics why ISIS must be confronted with force. ISIS’ grotesquely crude attempt at intimidation will hardly deter the U.S. or other nations from using force against them. To the contrary, it will likely serve to justify even stronger actions," says Duke University law professor Charlie Dunlap, an expert on warfare policy and strategy.
"While the death of a journalist may not resonate with the public in quite the same way as does the death of a civilian caught up in the conflict or even that of a soldier, it will surely enrage the international journalism community in a way that cannot possibly be helpful to ISIS. Energizing the global media to search for and report ISIS' horrific acts will work to galvanize public opinion against ISIS in every quarter, as it is simply impossible to excuse this kind of savagery."
"It also illustrates that ISIS is evidently clueless about how to influence the U.S. and other Western nations in a way that might be helpful to them. This would suggest that ISIS may not be sophisticated enough to avoid further miscalculations in other areas -- to include military matters -- that may be even more counterproductive."
Bio:Charlie Dunlap Jr. is a professor of the practice at Duke Law School and executive director of Duke's Center on Law, Ethics and National Security. He specializes in warfare policy and strategy, cyber-warfare, military commissions, counterinsurgency, nuclear issues and air power. Dunlap is a former deputy judge advocate general of the U.S. Air Force who retired from military in June 2010 as a major general.http://www.law.duke.edu/fac/dunlap
Video sample: http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/13737677/
For additional comment, contact Dunlap at:dunlap@law.duke.edu