A terrorism expert says accepting refugees from Iraq and Syria is undermining stability in the Middle East and the response from the West should instead prioritise greater funding and support to humanitarian organisations in the war-torn region.
The University of Melbourne's Dr Denis Dragovic says talk of a more robust military response after the deadly assault on Paris by Islamic State, which left at least 129 people dead and hundreds more injured, must also be rejected.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has refused to rule out an increased Australian military presence in Iraq and Syria in response to the attacks, saying on Sunday that "of course we would consider if asked".
But Dr Dragovic says the alliance against IS had rightly focused on containing its geographical spread, weakening its military and economic infrastructure but leaving the frontline engagement to local forces in Iraq and Syria.
"It can only be beaten when its attempts at managing a state in the 21st century based upon 7th century principles falter, when its Islamist propaganda about the end of times is proven false and when its core constituency rises up from within against the militant ideology."
In September, as France was about to begin bombing Syria, United States Director of National Intelligence James Clapper warned of the likelihood that IS operatives would use the exodus of refugees from Syria and Iraq to make their way into Europe.
Dr Dragovic said the threat "must be acknowledged".
He argues that acceptance by western nations including Australia of hundreds of thousands of refugees from the conflict zones, while well-meaning, is counterproductive.
"When the inevitable calls for closing the borders to migrants arise, the best response will be one that acknowledges the security threat, responds appropriately, but in addition prioritises greater funding and support to humanitarian organisations and refugee host nations in the Middle East."
