The Islamic State has become more entrenched, in part due to the irresponsible policy of the US. Rather than cooperating on the fight against terrorism, America and its allies began fighting the legitimately elected president of Syria, Bashar Assad. The reasonable policy in the Middle East, whether it is Syria, Egypt or Iraq, should consist in supporting the legitimate authorities which can ensure the integrity of the nation rather than continue to destabilise the situation. The misguided examples are clear: at some point the US assisted in the strengthening of al-Qaeda which led to the 9/11 tragedy. These lessons support the notion that the terrorist threat can only be combated together without separating the allies into supporters and outsiders.