ISIS Exposed: Beheadings, Slavery, and the Hellish Reality of Radical Islam (33 page)

          
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Educate the American people about jihadism and the nature of the threat ISIS poses and why it is absolutely crucial for America to defeat this movement at any cost. Start by naming the enemy—Islamic terrorism—and then take it from there.

          
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Revoke not only the passport but the citizenship of any American who fights for ISIS or any other terrorist group overseas so that he is never able to reenter the United States.

          
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Secure America’s borders, particularly the egregiously porous southern border, which is like an E-ZPass for criminal elements who wish to enter the United States, including terrorists.

          
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Review and revise America’s Visa Waiver program with Western European countries that have become hotbeds of Islamic terrorists.

          
•
    
Bolster cooperation with Europe, Canada, Australia, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and any other nation—Muslim or non-Muslim—that shows a sincere and committed desire to root out Islamic extremism.

          
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Isolate and pressure supposed “allies” that do not share that commitment—Turkey, Qatar, and Pakistan chief among them. Dishonorable mention goes to the Palestinian Authority and Saudi Arabia, whose help in the fight against ISIS and global jihadists should not be welcomed until they renounce their own shameful ongoing legacies of supporting terrorism when it suits their interests. I’m not holding my breath waiting for that unlikely day to come, and neither should you.

          
•
    
Make clear to the Iranian regime that it is not an ally or friend, in the fight against ISIS or anywhere else. Actively work to foster regime change in Iran, the world’s number one state sponsor of terrorism, through a variety of overt and covert means. And stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon by any means necessary.

          
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Stand proudly and unflinchingly with Israel and the Jewish people worldwide, and with the persecuted, beleaguered Christians and other religious minorities of the Middle East, now besieged by Islamic jihadists.

          
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Stringently review all current U.S. immigration and student visa polices when it comes to Muslim nations.

          
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Ban all Muslim Brotherhood–connected groups operating on U.S. soil and neutralize any influence they have over American policy. The Brotherhood’s ideology of martyrdom and jihad in pursuit of a caliphate has served as the gateway drug for far too many Islamic terrorists. Work to counter and de-glamorize that same jihadist ideology in American Muslim communities—ideally, with help from eloquent, patriotic Muslim moderates. I say that, however, with a very serious caveat: except for a few notable and courageous individuals, such as Dr. Zuhdi Jasser and former Egyptian Islamist Dr. Tawfik Hamid, moderate Muslims have just not spoken out publicly and forcefully in any significant numbers, despite the continuing jihadist onslaught. For example, why has no moderate Muslim activist organized a Million Muslim March against terrorism on the National Mall in the fourteen years that have passed since 9/11? Fear of retribution from their co-religionists is undoubtedly one major factor. Another problem is that the Obama administration has completely ignored moderate voices like those of Jasser and Hamid and instead given access and influence to jihad-supporting Muslim Brotherhood front groups.

          
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So we should support and encourage genuine Muslim reformers like Jasser and Hamid that want no part of jihad or sharia—while, at the same time, realizing that any sort of widespread, serious Muslim reformation remains a major long shot for the foreseeable future. If 9/11, London, Madrid, Fort Hood, Boston, Ottawa, Sydney, Paris, and the rise of ISIS weren’t enough to bring millions of outraged Muslims into the streets in widespread anti-terrorism marches around the world, then what will be?

We have reached a tipping point in the battle against radical Islam. Future generations will look back on this period in history, much as we now look back on the Cold War and World War II, and judge us on how we confront the existential challenge of Islamic jihadism that has already changed the Western way of life in profound ways.

It’s up to us whether our children and grandchildren will write the history of the first half of the twenty-first century as free men and women, or as slaves under a brutal system that shows no mercy, gives no quarter, and regards the very concepts of “freedom” and “democracy” with scorn.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

WRITING THREE BOOKS IN THE SPAN OF FOUR YEARS IS NO EASY
task—especially when the subject matter is as dark as radical Islam and terrorism. Fortunately for me, I have been surrounded by an amazing group of people who have supported and loved me through all the ups and downs of putting together this “epic trilogy” on jihad, culminating in
ISIS Exposed.

My beautiful wife, Lori, has once again been a rock, selflessly sacrificing and never complaining even though I was on a tight deadline with this book and life often intruded. Baby, your love, loyalty, and support through all the ups and downs of books—and life—are an endless blessing to me. There’s no one else I would rather have by my side on this crazy journey. Thank you.

Every time I would wrap up another session writing about the horrors of ISIS, I would emerge from my office, a bit down, and have my lovely daughters Juliana and Leah eagerly waiting to pick me up and remind me
that beauty, pure goodness, innocence, joy, and unconditional love still exist in this upside down world. Girls, you are the light of my life and my pride and joy. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding with Daddy’s book writing. I thank God every day for both of you.

My researcher, Matthew Nieminski, was the perfect choice to work on this book. Matt’s superior knowledge of the subject matter, combined with his relentless research and attention to detail, was simply invaluable and I am truly indebted. Every challenging research task Matt was given, he tackled enthusiastically, quickly, and without complaint, all while juggling other pressing commitments. His future is bright.

It is always a pleasure and an honor working with the team at Regnery Publishing. Marji Ross, Harry Crocker, and the team are approachable, patient, creative, and encouraging—for a writer, it doesn’t get any better. I am extremely grateful. Special thanks go to my superb editor on this project, Elizabeth Kantor, who was always available for advice and insights and whose hard work, tweaks, and improvements on the book were irreplaceable. Thanks also go to Maria Ruhl for her contributions.

Eternal thanks go, as always, to my Mom, Agnes, my brother, Fred, and my sister, Judy, for their prayers, encouragement, support, and love during the writing of this book and throughout my life. Dad is very happy as he looks down on us.

A big thank you to CBN News’ news director, Rob Allman, and Washington, D.C., bureau chief, Robin Mazyck, for their longtime friendship, guidance, and support, and the creative freedom they have given me on this and every other project I have pursued.

Thank you to Dr. Pat Robertson, Gordon Robertson, and Michael Little for the opportunity to work at an organization like CBN News that exposes radical Islam without apology. Thanks also to the CBN Partners for their love, prayers, and support of our vital work.

Thanks to the entire CBN News team in Washington, D.C., Virginia Beach, and Jerusalem: I am honored to work with such an incredible group of dedicated journalists who are also dear friends and prayer warriors.

Thanks also to Ian Rushing of Toy Box Productions, my frequent partner in crime in exposing the bad guys around the world.

Many thanks to Ryan Mauro, Wim Kortenoeven, Soeren Kern, Brian Fairchild, Bob Fletcher, and many others who can’t be named for the invaluable insights they shared for this book.

Thanks to my good friend, Willem Griffioen and his lovely wife Kathy for their friendship, fellowship, and for always lending a helping hand.

Thanks to the entire team at the Israel Allies Foundation for their tireless work in support of Israel and for giving me an opportunity to sound the alarm about terror organizations such as ISIS that wish to wipe the Jewish people off the map.

Thanks also to Fox News and Christians United for Israel (CUFI) for giving me a regular opportunity to talk about these pressing issues for a wide audience.

Thanks to Carrie and Zeke and also to Stephanie Reis—you are dear friends, and I appreciate your prayers and wise counsel. Thanks also to Carrie for her insights into Israel’s security situation.

To all the voices for freedom in the Middle East, especially the region’s persecuted Christians: thank you for your boldness, courage, and resilience. You are an inspiration.

To all of my friends in Fox Chase: I was forged in the iron of Philadelphia, and no matter where I go, I never forget. Thank you as always.

To the reader: if you are a bit down after taking in the very heavy subject matter in this book, don’t be. Here’s the good news: as the world feels like it is going to hell and evil is on the march, God still sits on the Throne.

Check out this passage from Psalm 37, which I kept reminding myself of while writing this book:

“The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for He knows their day is coming. The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are righteous. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.”

One day, hopefully soon, ISIS will be defeated. And goodness will prevail. You can take it to the bank.

God keeps His promises and is always faithful. Thank you, Lord. For everything.

Erick Stakelbeck

Washington, D.C.

January 16, 2015

Psalm 91

Isaiah 54:17

NOTES

PROLOGUE: THE ISLAMIC STATE OF MINNESOTA

1
.
      
Jamie Yuccas, “Minneapolis Has Become Recruiting Ground for Islamic Extremists,” CBS News, August 27, 2014,
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/minneapolis-has-become-recruiting-ground-for-islamic-extremists/
.

2
.
      
Gary Strauss, Donna Leinwand Leger, and Kevin Johnson, “Somalis in U.S. Condemn Kenyan Mall Attack,”
USA Today,
September 24, 2013,
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/23/potential-somali-american-involvement-in-kenyai-mall-attack-setting-off-fears-in-us/2856553/
.

3
.
      
E. A. Torriero, “They’re 100% American, and Pro-Hezbollah: U.S. Scrutiny Resented in Dearborn,”
Chicago Tribune,
July 27, 2006,
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-07-27/news/0607270148_1_hezbollah-israeli-terrorist-organization
.

4
.
      
David Johnston, “Militants Drew Recruit in U.S., F.B.I. Says,”
New York Times,
February 23, 2009,
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/washington/24fbi.html?_r=0
.

5
.
      
Paul McEnroe and Allie Shah, “Sept. 7: Federal Grand Jury Targets Local Terrorist Pipeline,”
Star Tribune,
September 20, 2014,
http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/274233901.html
.

6
.
      
Holly Yan, Sonia Moghe, and Greg Botelho, “Douglas McAuthur McCain: From American Kid to Jihadi in Syria,” CNN, September 3, 2014,
http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/27/us/who-was-douglas-mccain/
.

7
.
      
Meg Wagner, “Minnesota Dad-of-Nine Abdirahmaan Muhumed Killed Fighting for ISIS in Syria: Report,”
New York Daily News,
August 28, 2014,
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/american-isis-terrorist-killed-syria-id-report-article-1.1919877
.

8
.
      
Michael Zennie, “Somali-American Who Died Fighting for ISIS Cleaned Planes for Delta Airlines at Minneapolis Airport before He Joined Terrorist Group,”
Daily Mail,
September 3, 2014,
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2742206/Somali-American-died-fighting-ISIS-cleaned-planes-Delta-Airlines-Minneapolis-airport-joined-terrorist-group.html
.

9
.
      
Bob Fletcher, in interview with the author, September 16, 2014.

10
.
    
McEnroe and Shah, “Sept. 7: Federal Grand Jury Targets Local Terrorist Pipeline.”

11
.
    
Ibid.

12
.
    
Tom Lyden, “Exclusive: Man Booted from Minn. Mosque an ISIS Recruiter or FBI Mole?,” Fox 9 News (Minneapolis-St. Paul), October 5, 2014,
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/26469968/man-booted-from-minn-mosque-an-isis-recruiter-or-fbi-mole
.

13
.
    
Fletcher, interview.

14
.
    
Omar Jamal, in interview with the author, September 16, 2014.

15
.
    
Kate Raddatz, “Homeland Secretary Visits Mpls. to Discuss Somali Terror Recruitment,” CBS Minnesota, November 7, 2014,
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2014/11/07/homeland-secretary-visits-mpls-to-discuss-somali-terror-recruitment/
.