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October 16, 2016

To: King Abdullah II

From: Abigail Landesman

Subject: Jordanian Policy Toward Syria and ISIS (Daesh)

Dearest Sir, during what is known as the Arab Spring in 2011, Syrians attempted to

overthrow their dictator Bashar Al-Assad. As a result, the regime started a civil war. During this

unstable period, Daesh infiltrated the country to try to turn it into a totalitarian Islamic caliphate.

As you know, the problem in Syria has continued, and it will not subside without action from us.

Last year, more than 1,000 air missions were enacted in junction with the United States. Jordan

has also targeted specific Daesh terrorists for execution, due to the recorded burning of Muath

Kasasbeh. To relieve the stress of the refugee crisis, Jordan brought in almost 1.5 million Syrians

who have fled their homes before closing our border. Raids have been conducted in the refugee

camps as well, to seek out Daesh members who may have infiltrated them. Even though Jordan

has been the leading force against Daesh in the region, Jordan has also shared intelligence with

allies and have allowed them to use our bases. I would like to propose three strategies to use

against Daesh, based on Sun Tzus book, The Art of War.

Sun Tzu explains that the highest form of generalship is to baulk the enemys plans; the

next best is to prevent the junction of the enemys forces, all before actual fighting and defense

(15, III, 3). One of the ways Daesh recruits soldiers is by offering them a basic salary. If Jordan

targeted their financial sources in the region, it would prevent Daesh from being funded and

prevent their promises of paying their soldiers from being delivered. This may cause internal

support to dwindle, which would make the group weaker. If Jordan then attacked Daesh in its

unstable cracks, Jordan would have more of a chance at victory.

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October 16, 2016

A second, less direct strategy should be used as well. Sun Tzu makes it clear that All

warfare is based on deception (9, I, 18). One way to be deceptive is to send in spies to infiltrate

the terrorists. This would mean that Jordan wouldnt have to negotiate with Daesh, as you are

adamant about not talking with them, but it would allow us to know their every move. Jordan

could start by using the terrorists captured from the refugee camp raids. Instead of executing

them, make them work for you. Sun Tzu calls these infiltrators that you turn to work for Jordan

converted spies, and he explains that using these men are how one becomes able to deploy our

own spies (71, XIII, 22). Another way that Sun Tzu suggests to be deceptive is by leading Daesh

to believe Jordan will attack one place, but then attack another area where they are less prepared

(10, I, 24). Thus you dont have to worry about our limited resources because Jordans army

wont be facing all of Daeshs soldiers.

Finally, it is important to address the constant and severe air bombardment against ISIS,

which Jordan has used as its main strategy. Sun Tzu explains, If you lay siege to a town, you

will exhaust your strength (11, II, 2). Jordans resources our dwindling, especially because it is

one of the only countries in the region that is fighting the terrorist group. Daesh is not going to

back down, because they dont care about losing their own men and they are not afraid to

commit war crimes. Instead of laying big sieges, a more productive strategy may be to conduct

mini attacks on the subdivided local controls by Daesh instead of concentrating on the center

management. This will prevent us from exhausting all of our resources at one time, and allow us

to work our way into the center. Once Jordan defeats all of Daeshs backup, it will have no one

to help defend them when you do attack the center.

Thank you for taking these suggestions into consideration.

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October 16, 2016

Works Consulted

The European Refugee Crisis and Syria Explained. Youtube, uploaded by Kurzgesagt- In a

Nutshell, 17 Sept. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvOnXh3NN9w&app=desktop.

Accessed 16 Oct. 2016.

Johnston, Patrick B., et al. Foundations of the Islamic State: Management, Money, and Terror in

Iraq, 20052010. Research report no. RR-1192-DARPA, Santa Monica, RAND, 2016.

Research Reports. RAND Corporation,

www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1192.html. Accessed 16 Oct. 2016.

Opall-Rome, Barbara. Jordan Proves Heavyweight in Fight Against ISIS. Defense News,

Sightline Media Group Site, 9 May 2016,

www.defensenews.com/story/defense/commentary/editorial/2016/05/09/special-operation

s-forces-deserve-budget-stability/84031162/. Accessed 16 Oct. 2016.

Tzu, Sun. The Art of War. Translated by Lionel Giles, New York, Barnes and Noble Classics,

2003.

Young, Nicole, et al. Keeping Jordans Balance amid Crisis. CBS News, 25 Sept. 2016,

www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-king-abudallah-jordan-amid-crisis/. Accessed 16

Oct. 2016.