Has ISIS Finally Picked The Wrong Enemy?

COL Ted Mc — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 02:34:02 -0500

From "Reuters"

Japan captive's mother pleads for his release as Islamic State deadline passes

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/23/us-mideast-crisis-islamicstate-japan-idUSKBN0KW [login to see] 3

(Reuters) - A deadline by Islamic State militants to pay ransom for the release of two Japanese hostages passed on Friday, with no immediate word on the fate of the captives.

The Japanese government said it was in an "extremely severe situation" while the mother of one of the hostages, a journalist, appealed for his safe release.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said saving the men's lives is paramount but that Japan will not bow to terrorism.

[EDITORIAL COMMENT:- Someone REALLY doesn't understand the importance of "face". PS - Read paragraphs fifteen and sixteen.]

Islamic State deadline on Japanese captives passes with no word on fate

Japan said on Friday it was still trying to secure the release of two Japanese hostages held by Islamic State militants after a deadline to pay ransom for their release passed and there was no immediate word on their fate.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2015 3:12 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 03:12:10 -0500

I am not sure about picked the wrong enemy COL Ted Mc, but the Japan Government will never pay a ransom either.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2015 7:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 19:56:12 -0500

They have picked the wrong enemy since they were named ISIS.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2015 9:26 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 21:26:49 -0500

The Islamic Terrorists do not care.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 4 at 2015 2:33 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 14:33:10 -0500

Wrong enemy? Well first we need to understand some things about Japan today:

1) Japan does not have the military capability to DO anything about ISIS. Nor is their military allowed to unless they change their constitution.

2) Japanese culture today is not the same as the culture of 80 some years ago that produced the legendary fanatical fighters that we faced in the Pacfic in WW2. Japan tends to take a very pacifistic viewpoint these days. Getting nuked twice tends to do that to you.

So while the Samurai spirit and spine may still lurk in their national subconscious, Japan really has no immediate capability to do anything other than throw money at the problem (either paying ransoms or funding campaigns against ISIS). Honeslty, Jordan has more capability to take it to ISIS than Japan does.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 4:53 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 04:53:13 -0500

I don't like war, but I will happily redeploy to go fight ISIS. These people are a threat to the world.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 5:01 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 05:01:45 -0500

I don't think many Americans understand the symbolism of burning that pilot. That meant they were sending him to hell. Beheading is considered an "honorable" death - as crazy as that sounds. But burning was an insult. ISIS has really crossed the line in offending the Muslim world.