America’s rivals and enemies have enjoyed a very good 12 days.
One clear beneficiary has been ISIS, which has spent years trying to persuade Muslims that the United States is at war with Islam. ISIS wants to eliminate the world’s “gray zone,” the places where Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Jews live in harmony.
David LeonhardtNo wonder that ISIS-affiliated social media gleefully posted President Donald Trump’s executive order this weekend. Trump’s travel ban plays right into ISIS’ desire to eliminate the gray zone.
Besides the immorality and apparent illegality of Trump’s order, it’s worth weighing the strategic effects as well. Yes, it is conceivable that barring visitors from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen would keep out a future terrorist. But it’s highly unlikely.
Any strategic benefits are tiny while the costs are substantial: Trump has just helped ISIS recruiters. He has angered Iraq, France and others battling ISIS. Most alarmingly, he has undercut our claim to stand for larger principles – freedom, rule of law, even basic competence.