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SCMP Editorial

The atrocities in Paris were bound to bring the world's leaders together in a pledge of solidarity against Islamic State.
Inevitably, the events overshadowed the Group of 20 summit in Turkey, turning discussion to stepping up the fight against Muslim extremists; more is likely at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Manila in the coming days.

But as much as there is agreement on what needs to be done, there is a daunting gap in deciding how it is to be achieved. Without a coordinated strategy with shared objectives, there is no hope of ending the spreading slaughter.
Preventing attacks is difficult, even with improved intelligence and security.
The mix of home-grown extremists directed by a well-funded group using sophisticated tactics against unsuspecting citizens is hard to detect.
Islamic State has taken its fight global, Paris being the latest in a string of a dozen attacks that it has claimed over the past year, including Thursday's blasts in Beirut that killed at least 41 and the bombing last month over Sinai of a Russian plane carrying 224 people.

French President Francois Hollande and his US counterpart, Barack Obama, have pledged to destroy Islamic State, and air strikes on its positions in Syria and Iraq have been stepped up.
READ MORE: France strikes back: Warplanes pound Islamic State targets in Syria days after Paris terror attacks
G20 leaders have promised better intelligence sharing, tighter border controls and a crackdown on terrorist financing. Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin set aside chilly relations to agree that the UN would mediate talks between the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad and opposition.
The civil war in Syria and weak governance in Iraq allowed the rise of Islamic State.
Such rhetoric falsely gives the impression of a common strategy. The US-led coalition and Russia have different agendas, with Obama seeking Assad's removal and Putin backing his staying in power.

The coalition is as disjointed, with Turkey seemingly more intent on fighting Kurdish rivals, Britain focused on Iraq, Arab members Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar distracted by Iranian-backed separatists in Yemen, and Canada pulling out.
READ MORE: Attacks in Paris again show that the world must unite to defeat terrorism
Only the Kurds and Iraq have ground forces and their abilities will remain limited unless they are joined by Western soldiers - something voters would not accept.
A joint strategy that is more aggressive is only a fraction of the solution. Governments have to placate young Muslims who feel marginalised.
But stopping Islamic State's expansion, destruction and hatred ultimately lies in ending the instability in Syria and Iraq. That will happen only if governments genuinely work together.


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Paris terror attacks

Terror attacks in Paris underline the importance of genuine cooperation in the fight against terrorism

The Eiffel Tower reopened on Monday after being closed for two days after the Paris terror attacks. It was illuminated in the French flag colour as tribute to the victims of the massacre. Photo: AFP

Leaders attended the G20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey on Monday and raised the alarm over escalating international movement from "foreign terrorist fighters" in a draft statement drawn up November 15 after the Paris assaults claimed by Islamic State jihadists. Photo: AFP

The debris from the site of a twin bombing attack in the area of Burj al-Barajneh in Beirut's southern suburb last Thursday. Photo: AFP

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) chats with Russia's President Vladimir Putin prior to a working session at the Group of 20 (G20) leaders summit in Antalya, Turkey. Photo: Reuters

Attacks in Paris again show that the world must unite to defeat terrorism

Buildings and towers around the world pay tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks. (From top to bottom, L to R )  London’s National Gallery, London Eye ferris wheel, Toronto's CN Tower, Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Berlin’s Brandenburg gate, Taiwan's Taipei 101, Sydney's Opera House, Mexico’s Angel de la Independencia monument, San Francisco City Hall. Photo: Reuters

People light candles during a vigil for victims of the French terror attacks at Sun Yat Sen Memorial park in Hong Kong on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Friday's attack in Paris targeted everyday citizens relaxing at restaurants and bars, a rock concert and a soccer match, intent on instilling fear and terror. Photo: AFP

The HSBC building displays the colours of the French flag in Hong Kong. Photo: EPA

Russia confirms bomb attack brought down Egypt plane, vows revenge

FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015 file photo provided by Russian Emergency Situations Ministry, Egyptian Military on cars approach a plane's tail at the wreckage of a passenger jet bound for St. Petersburg in Russia that crashed in Hassana, Egypt. The Russian passenger plane that crashed in Egypt was brought down by a homemade bomb placed on board in a "terrorist" act, the head of Russia's FSB security service told President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. (Maxim Grigoriev/Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations via AP, File)

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) meets with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (2ndL), Russian Army chief of staff Valery Gerasimov (L), head of the Federal Security Service (FSB) Alexander Bortnikov (2ndR) and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss the results of the investigation into the Russian MetroJet Airbus A321 crash at the Kremlin in Moscow early on November 17, 2015. Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to step up air strikes in Syria after Moscow confirmed a bomb brought down a Russian passenger jet in Egypt last month, the Kremlin said on November 17. AFP PHOTO / SPUTNIK / ALEXEI NIKOLSKY

epa05027408 Egyptians hold candles in front of the Great Pyramid (C) which is illuminated in the colours of the Russianflag in order to show solidarity after the Paris terror attacks of 13 November, and the crash of Russian Metrojet Airbus A321 on 31 October, in Giza, Egypt, 15 November 2015. At least 132 people were killed and some 350 injured in the terror attacks which targeted the Bataclan concert hall, the Stade de France national sports stadium, and several restaurants and bars in the French capital. Authorities believe that three coordinated teams of terrorists armed with rifles and explosive vests carried out the attacks, which the Islamic State (IS) extremist group has claimed responsibility for. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI

Egyptian Military vehicles approach the tail of a passenger jet bound for St. Petersburg in Russia that now Russia, the UK and other countries believe was brought down by explosives onboard. Photo: AP

Beirut carnage: 41 dead as Islamic State suicide bombers target Hezbollah bastion

The immediate fiery aftermath of the twin suicide bombings that hit Beirut on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua

(151112) -- BEIRUT, Nov. 12, 2015 (Xinhua) -- Firefighters extinguish fire on the site of a suicide boming attack on the southern outskirts of Beirut, capital of Lebanon, on Nov. 12, 2015. The death toll of the twin suicide bombings that rocked Beirut southern suburbs region of Burj el-Barajneh Thursday has risen to at least 37, with more than 180 injured, according to the Lebanese Red Cross. (Xinhua/NNA LEBANON)

Emergency personnel gather at the site of a twin suicide bombing in Burj al-Barajneh, in the southern suburbs of the capital Beirut on November 12, 2015. At least 37 people have been killed and more than 180 wounded after twin suicide bombings rocked the southern suburb of the capital. AFP PHOTO / ANWAR AMRO

ATTENTION EDITORS - VISUAL COVERAGE OF SCENES OF INJURY OR DEATHPeople carry away a wounded person from the site of an explosion in Beirut, in this still image taken from video shot on November 12, 2015. At least 27 people were killed in two suicide explosions in a busy area in Beirut's southern suburb, a stronghold of Lebanese Hezbollah, on Thursday, a medical official said. REUTERS/Reuters TVTEMPLATE OUT

Lebanese policemen and Hezbollah members inspect the damage at the site of a twin suicide attack in the Bourj al-Barajneh suburb of Beirut. Photo: EPA

G20 summit opens in shadow of Paris bloodshed with world leaders pledging to crack down on terror financing

World leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Barack Obama, and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel gather for the G20 Summit "family" photo in Antalya, Turkey.  Photo: AFP

People join hands as they stand around the Monument à la République in Paris yesterday as the French capital began three days of mourning after the terror attacks. Photo: AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin enters a hall to meet leaders of BRICS prior to the G-20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

epa05026136 A member of the Turkish armed forces is pictured ahead of the G20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey, 15 November 2015. In additional to discussions on the global economy, the G20 grouping of leading nations is set to focus on Syria during its summit this weekend, including the refugee crisis and the threat of terrorism. EPA/BERND VON JUTRCZENKA

epa05026159 Turkish police guards march before an expected anti-G20 protest in Antalya, Turkey, 15 November 2015. The G20 summit will be held in Antalya on 15-16 November and in addition to discussions on the global economy, the G20 grouping of leading nations is set to focus on Syria during its summit this weekend, including the refugee crisis and the threat of terrorism. EPA/DENIZ TOPRAK

(151114) -- ANTALYA, Nov. 14, 2015 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) meets with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Antalya, Turkey, Nov. 14, 2015. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) (zhs)

A handout picture taken on November 2, 2015 and released on November 3, 2015 by Russia's Emergency Ministry shows Russian emergency services personnel working at the crash site of a A321 Russian airliner in Wadi al-Zolomat, a mountainous area of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. Russian airline Kogalymavia's flight 9268 crashed en route from Sharm el-Sheikh to Saint Petersburg on October 31, killing all 224 people on board, the vast majority of them Russian tourists. AFP PHOTO / RUSSIA'S EMERGENCY MINISTRY *RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / RUSSIA'S EMERGENCY MINISTRY" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS *

World leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Barack Obama, and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel gather for the G20 Summit "family" photo in Antalya, Turkey.  Photo: AP

Russian President Vladimir Putin enters a hall to meet leaders of BRICS prior to the G-20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey. Photo: AP

Opinion