And when they decide to do a terror attack on the US or one of our allies, do we just leave them alone still?
It is a difficult situation. When you punch someone, it should come as no surprise if they punch back. And if, when they punch you back, you also punch them back, it should come as no surprise if they punch you back again.
Yes, if you don't punch them back, that's no guarantee that they won't keep punching. It is a risk. But continually exchanging punches is generally not a desirable outcome. If you choose to keep punching, there is some sense in punching hard enough that they are incapable of punching you again.
Is that something you're willing to do?
we can't leave people like ISIS in there.
How do you propose to root them out without going in and murdering everyone? How do you propose to identify which ones to kill and which ones to not kill? Or do you propose to "nuke it to glass and turn the middle east into a parking lot" as I so often hear Americans suggest?
If you're not willing to be the one to stop punching, what is the alternative?
Are you willing to commit genocide? Are you willing to kill not only every last one of them, but also every woman and child related to them? Are you willing to kill all the innocent bystanders in their home countries who will grow up watching your soldiers kill their brothers? Are you willing to go in and exterminate an entire people?
If not, then I suggest being wiling to take one or two more punches before they calm down.