The Weekend Economists travel the Yellow Brick Road, November 14-15.

[Demeter]

7. Complexity of Paris Attacks Carries Hallmarks of Trained Fighters

YES, BUT WHAT IS THE POINT? TO TERRORIZE PEOPLE? IS THAT A WINNING STRATEGY?

WHERE'S THE PAYOFF FOR BLOWING YOURSELVES UP IN SUICIDE ATTACKS?

WAS IT THE NATURE OF THE PLAN, OR THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN, TO DO IT AFTER ALL THE MARKETS WERE CLOSED?

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-14/complexity-of-paris-attack-carries-hallmarks-of-trained-fighters

The worst terrorist attack in Europe in a decade shows the expanding global reach of Islamic State militants, well beyond their strongholds in the Middle East.

At least 127 people were killed on Friday in attacks described as an “act of war” by French President Francois Hollande, who blamed the violence on Islamic State. The bloodshed came one day after the group claimed responsibility for killing at least 43 people in its first suicide bombing against Hezbollah’s Beirut stronghold. Its Egyptian affiliate also said it was behind downing the Russian Metrojet aircraft that crashed in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula Oct. 31, killing 224 people.

"The message that Islamic State seems to be sending through the attacks is that its reach is global and that none of its enemies will be spared retaliation," said Lina Khatib, senior research associate at the Arab Reform Initiative in Paris. "Subsequent attacks can, unfortunately, happen almost anywhere" it has supporters, she said.


RETALIATION MAY FEED EGOS AND SOOTH INJURED PRIDE, BUT IT DOESN'T DO A THING FOR THE CIVILIANS LEFT BEHIND WHEN THEIR FIGHTERS GO OFF THE CLIFF...NOT EVEN AN EXTORTION ATTEMPT?