The United States and other NATO countries could offer assistance, but the fight must be waged largely by other Sunnis. What is occurring in the region is a clash within a civilization; to enable IS to portray it as a conflict between civilizations – and itself as the true defender of Islam – would be a grave strategic mistake.
最佳方针是成立一支由邻国特别是约旦士兵组成的多国部队。美国和其他北约国家可以提供援助，但战斗必须主要由其他逊尼派来打。目前该地区所发生的是文明内部的冲突；让伊斯兰国将它描述成文明之间的冲突——并把自己描述为伊斯兰教的捍卫者——将是一个严重的战略错误。