The two are not mutually exclusive. I think what we saw in the burning of the Jordanian pilot was a descent into madness. Anyone who believes in the literal truth of ancient religious scribbling is crazy.
The Atlantic article mentioned above addresses this issue. If they are not expanding, they are not fulfilling their religious mandate. Consolidating territorial control is not their goal.
The two are not mutually exclusive. I think what we saw in the burning of the Jordanian pilot was a descent into madness. Anyone who believes in the literal truth of ancient religious scribbling is crazy.
The Atlantic article mentioned above addresses this issue. If they are not expanding, they are not fulfilling their religious mandate. Consolidating territorial control is not their goal.