The Distracted Mind

Weak and failing states define a hotly contested zone of operations where radical Islamist extremists, terrorists, and irregular adversaries will collide with U.S. and allied forces and the partners. The former want to exploit these states and to hasten their collapse in order to create operational sanctuaries and zones of barbarism and to lure American forces into protracted and costly interventions. The latter seek to deny radical extremists and their allies any physical sanctuary, either by p…