Counterinsurgency expert and military strategist Dr David Kilcullen delivered The Centre for Independent Studies’ 2014 John Bonython Lecture with a crucial and fascinating exploration of recurring Occidentalism, why Western values are anathema to Islamists, and why we must take decisive action now to counter the Jihadist ideology that is spreading around the world. The lecture explored the key questions about the Jihadist movement: How did we get to this state in the conflict? How long is it likely to last? Is this the start of a new conflict, or the continuation of an old one? And what are the likely geopolitical ramifications and impact on Australia?