NATO considering policy re-think

[JasonPratt]

But they aren't an existential threat. Whatever game they talk, and whatever they might be in the future if they are allowed to continue, they don't currently pose a threat to wiping out our way of life (or worse). Even if acting against them triggered a wider conflict, the basis wouldn't likely spread beyond the Middle East.

Of course, they're much more of an existential threat to nearer nations.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

As if the Norks or Iran are more likely to invade the US... uh, no.

[bayonetbrant]

As if the Norks or Iran are more likely to invade the US... uh, no.

no, but their multiple-nuke capability poses a much greater danger than ISIS smashing old statues with a sledgehammer.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

True.
They are still not a threat, the high resource maniac with no responsibility is more likely to try something. I think isis has many well funded maniacs.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/07/17/world/africa/isis-affiliate-sinai-province-claims-ship-attack.html?referrer=

Today's example of the isis problem. They can buy lots of hardware, then ship it around. Right now they are focused in the sand pit. If they consolidate their position this kind of strike can happen anywhere.

[JasonPratt]

A war involving North Korea or Iran could also spin quickly out of control on a global scale (partly but not entirely due to the nuke issues), which is an existential threat to the survival of the United States per se, even if not nearly as much of a threat as from the Cold War Soviet Union.

Which Putin also doesn't approach (despite his wish-fulfillment delusions otherwise), but he's closer to that level than they are, and currently ISIS is way below their ability to provide a similar existential threat. They're currently more like a number of African warlords running rampant in their area.

Except they want to spread; so they're working on becoming an existential threat. Doesn't mean they're there yet. Doesn't mean we shouldn't be acting now to keep them from getting there.