The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, hereinafter referred to as the Islamic State (IS), currently controls an area the size of the UK in Iraq and Syria but has also established a sizable presence in: Libya, Egypt, Afghanistan, and many smaller elements thought Northern and Eastern Africa and Central Asia. IS presents a clear danger to the U.S. as evidenced by their beheadings of Americans and their continued efforts to encourage Muslim-Americans to attack their fellow citizens.
A national strategy to counter IS must be developed and implemented. The strategy should coordinate efforts between and within the DoD, DoJ, DHS, DoS, and the IC. The strategy should neither advocate long term DoD stability operations nor create a security vacuum that sponsors of terrorism can fill.