ISIS does attack very strategically, they aim for western sense of freedom. Kill a journalist, kill a woman who criticizes the destruction of ancient mosques in Mosul on FB.
ISIS aims for where the west feels comfortable and free, journalists doing their jobs, and the right not to agree with what has been done. And, by doing all this very public, they aim at our sense of safety. They are token kills, and they have effect, on our minds.
I fear that bombing ISIS, and other extremist groups will not have the effect on the mind of ISIS like their actions have on our mind. They are prepared to die, they are anticipating this reaction. There needs to be more than that. The United Arab Emirates announcing that it might be a woman dropping the deadly bombs is said to be threatening to their minds, it may block the eternal rewards awaiting a zealous fighter.
But, if I read that many recruited people in ISIS are not there for the religious goal, but are criminals now finally getting a license to kill and maim, I don't know what will get to the mindset and idea of them.
How do you kill an idea? By giving something instead of that idea? If so, what would that be? Democracy does not work as a gift, democracy has to come from the people themselves.