*snip*
While I agree that they would want the US neutralized, it's because it's a strong opponent and pretty universally hated by ISIS's target audience. They would have a hard time putting any religious spin on the conquest of the US. It's not exactly loaded with Muslim holy sites o.O I'd also think that if there was any way they could avoid getting in a fight with the US they would. No one want to pick a fight with the guy that can field more carriers than most of the rest of the world combined o.O That said, if you wanna play on the world stage, you gotta play with the superpower, no going around it. I think if they could defeat them in the field or home front (in some hypothetical scenario where they actually become a significant military threat capable of projecting power globally like most NATO countries), they would not attempt an invasion of the US mainland. Perhaps a few symbolic conquests of extraterritorial possessions. That said, successful conquerors usually don't stop just because they don't have a claim to the next land in line XD Historically they keep going until they reach the limit of their logistical/military capacities or get violently thrown back. Once you get powerful enough, generally speaking your goals and long term plans can be summarized as "maintain and/or expand power".
Guess my point is (and the point of my previous post) is people are allowing themselves to be terrified by people halfway across the world who really have a whole lot more to think about than actually causing them harm. US citizens (and other western countries too) are allowing terrible things to happen to them (like mass surveillance programs!) because they are scared of folks half a world away who don't really care that much about them.
Israel is another business tho, they're sitting on half the Abrahamic holy sites, are also a strong and much hated opponent and they're geographically close and more threatening. If I was living anywhere close to Israel I might be a little bit worried, but then again I'd be sitting on top of one of the most impressive conventional weapon stash in the world and I'd have some powerful friends like the US. If ISIS wants to pick a straight up fight with Israel they need to start eating their bread crusts
Regarding Rome, I'ma go ahead and guess it's further down the line, somewhere between Israel and the US. While they sorta have to do it (or at least say they'll do it) in order to maintain legitimacy as a Caliphate, it's a logistical and strategical nightmare. Rome is in Italy, and Italy has some pretty powerful (read "nuclear armed") friends. I'm not sure how the mass invasion of a NATO country would play out but it's a safe bet it would get ridiculously nasty for the aggressor. If nukes don't go flying they sure as hell will be prepped inside delivery system. They either have to fight through half the world navies in the Mediterranean or sneak in the army over land or air, in which case its difficult to sneak in the weapons along with it. I guess they could openly march through half the christian world but that sounds like a pretty terrible idea too XD
If ISIS wants to make a grab for Rome, they'll need to wait for a more suitable political climate, like the implosion of NATO o.O On the other hand, if Silvio Berlusconi was to take a bullet to the face during an invasion of Rome, I'm fair sure ISIS would instantly gain massive public support in Italy XD
Great analysis of their goals and current state. I was trying to keep it simple but clearly there's smart folks on these forums XD I also wasn't aware of the shift in strategy, but as you pointed out it probably won't do them much good, they're already on the decline. Good to know tho.
As for Christianity getting wiped out of the middle east, can you honestly say you are surprised? AFAIK last time Christians held territory down there was the short lived crusader states of the late middle ages. I'm surprised they lasted that long. The Jewish people were in a pretty similar position until Israel, and if they hadn't been handed a state they would likely also be facing displacement or assimilation themselves. ISIS is just one more nail in the coffin :/
Also, I'm not American, I'm one of their northern neighbors
Once we get the conservatives out of office we can start putting blue berets on our soldiers again (as opposed to green helmets) and go back to being the friendly northern neighbors