Prosecuting ISIS “Beatles” demonstrates effective counterterrorism

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 7, 2020
Contact: press@defensepriorities.org

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, the Department of Justice announced that two ISIS fighters who are charged with murdering Americans will face trial in the U.S. Defense Priorities Policy Director Benjamin H. Friedman issued the following statement in response:

“The case of the so-called ‘Beatles’ is an example of effective counterterrorism. The men were captured by local allies—Kurdish-led forces, who benefitted from U.S. support—and then transferred to U.S. custody. Their U.S. trial is a result of a diplomatic deal with the United Kingdom. They seem very likely to get what they deserve though the courts.

“This is in contrast to the overly-broad regime change and nation-building wars Washington has pursued over the last two decades, which elevates terrorist leaders, through rhetoric, into the equivalent of great rivals and weakens the U.S. These efforts are costly failures that spawned new terrorist organizations. Rather than squander U.S. power trying to reform the politics of broken nations, the U.S. military should focus on targeted counterterrorism missions and raids that eliminate anti-U.S. threats.”

Author

Benjamin
Friedman

Policy Director

Defense Priorities