The ISIS network presents significant challenges for traditional counter-terrorism strategies due to its complex organizational structure. It is commonly thought that the network primarily operates through 'lone wolves,' making them difficult to track. However, this perception is misleading, as evidenced by the November 2015 Paris attacks, which were orchestrated by a larger group of individuals working together rather than just isolated attackers.

Niall Ferguson, in his book "The Square and the Tower," emphasizes that the operational capabilities of ISIS go beyond simple, decentralized actions. The coordinated nature of the attacks highlights that the organization functions more as a network than merely relying on isolated incidents, thus complicating efforts to disrupt its activities effectively.