Navia Aut Caput

Keval Bavishi, reporting from the CJTF-OIR (Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve), breaks down the myth of the danger posed by ISIL ( Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) to international peace and security.

Navia Aut Caput, was a game played by sailors in the ancient days. A game, the idea of which was conceived out of sheer boredom, eventually made way to be one of the key elements of international sports. What we know today as the coin toss, finds its roots in the earlier days of the Roman civilization. The game was in fact played during nights when the sailors used to gather around for alcohol after a long day at work. It also gave birth to one of the first forms of gambling. Navia Aut Caput translates to "Ship" or Horse", signifies the two sides of the coin in those days.

Horses and ships (boats) were one of the most used modes of transport in those days. The concept of the game, as in the present day, was pretty simple. Yet, many stories from those days suggest that most sailors bet on "Ship" as it signified bigger trades compared to horses.

This brings us to the crisis at hand today, the rise of extreme terrorism across the world, especially the Middle East. The way the international community along with several sections of media has approached this crisis, is reminiscent of the sailors playing Navia Aut Caput.

The coalition forces fighting against Syria have nothing but gambled to involve themselves in a crisis that appears to be a greater threat to them. By opting to bet all they had on the "Ship", they have let the horse off the hook. The horse in the question is Taliban, once the face of terror across the world, now silently operating from the shadows. One of the primary differences between and a ship is their approach to achieve their goals. While a ship packs with it the grandeur and glamour of prosperity, it still has to rely on a lot of factors to make it to its destination. On the other hand, the horse is relentless in its approach, hardly stopped by any hurdles in its way. The Taliban, even though not covered in the media as much as ISIL, has been growing in its threat and power. Slowly and steadily, they have regained lost ground in Afghanistan. Like an undeterred horse, they have just moved towards their ultimate goal. Nationalists by nature, the Taliban has never believed in propaganda to establish themselves as an international threat. They have been clear about their objectives ever since the beginning, unlike the ISIL.

The ISIL, like a ship has believed in branding itself as a much bigger threat than they actually are. They sail in waters where the tides are in control of the international community itself, yet there are 74 nations who have been investing billions in their fight against the terror outfit. It is extremely confusing, the rationale behind the entire fight against ISIL.

If we look at the numbers, Taliban continues to be the reason behind most number of civilian deaths caused in the world, easily surpassing ISIL' tally by more than double. It seems like the plan to prioritize ISIL over the Taliban emerged after a game of Navia Aut Caput between the coalition states.

The attention ISIL has managed to garner over such a short time is remarkable. The world leaders went for appeasement of the masses rather than embracing practicality. In fact, ISIL has systematically been allowed a controlled existence, as they hold the key to certain elections back home. Time and again, major news breaks with regard to ISIL have coincided with elections in the western world. Multiple political and military strategists have questioned certain measures taken by the CJTF, as there have been several blunders along the way.

The ship can sink at any given point, at any given moment. The ship drifts according to the whims and fancies of the waves, often losing sight of its destination. It basks in glamour and glory, while the horse keeps running towards its goal. The world has forgotten the wild horse that Taliban always has been, as they stomp their way through the millions of innocent lives in Afghanistan. ISIS was never big enough a threat it was made out to be, in fact there is no denying that they need attention to. The crux of the matter is that the nations, blinded by the charm of political opportunities, have called the Ship.

Though, it is not too late, for the coin has just been tossed. There is a window of opportunity for the world leaders to make the right call, to win it all.