A different permutation is different. That was a particular interpretation of Marxism that informed what happened in Cambodia. They wanted to erase history and start from scratch. Its similar to what motivated the Cultural Revolution, and similar ideas informed Stalin. In any event, Southeast Asia and its history in the 50's, 60s and 70s was different in a host of ways. You can't just draw some vague connection and say the only thing different is that what's happening in the Middle East affects the West. Most of the violence is in the Middle East - Arab on Arab, Muslim on Muslim. Qualitatively what's happening in the Middle East is totally different.
Other than saying "they're different", you're failing to explain exactly how, so I'd say you also are being vague. Sure the reasons here for remaking history is Jihadist Islam, rather than Marxism, but in action the result doesn't appear to be hugely different
other than the fact that JIhadist propaganda has been exceptionally effective, and their terror has been much more effectively tactically, so thus far they don't have nearly the body count...let's hope they never reach that point.
Can you explain how they are qualitatively different, and what you think makes the Middle East "unique" in this regard, rather than just a similar pattern played out with different actors?
There's always a tendency to see one's time, and the Great Enemy of that time as unique, but I just don't see much evidence of that.
They are despicable to be sure, but I think it's time that we stop treating these guys as if they are some amazing thing, IMO a lot of the narrative surrounding them is a loop that ends up feeding them notoriety.
Jihadist ideology appeals to people who already have tendency towards sociopathic behavior, I think any correction of "wrong view" would come from overall fighting within Islam against this sort of fundamentalism, which eventually might lessen the number of people who jump into it, maybe interrupt the cycle of indoctrination. Again though, if you just take a cursory glance at the life of many of these guys, they were already heading in that direction, years of petty crime, spousal abuse, whatever else... so there is no "correcting" their views, I wouldn't think.
I think one thing that will help is when the public narrative shifts from "it's all Islam's fault" on the one hand or "nothing to do with Islam" on the other, to Muslims acknowledging that they are in the best position to be a "front line" against these ideologies, and that while ISIS does not represent Islam, they are a certain interpretation of it, and one which can be opposed. The whole "it's not *real* Islam" thing seems to remove the agency of the people who would best affect a cultural change.
"it must be coming from the mouthy mastermind of raunchy rapper, Johnny Dangerous”
-Jeff H.