Shut Down the Internet? How Plausible is Donald Trump's Suggestion?

[Commentary] During Dec 15's Republican primary debate, GOP frontrunner Donald Trump said America should shut off ISIS's access to the Internet. The terror network is disturbingly successful at spreading its propaganda and recruiting via social media. But how practical is Trump's suggestion?

Here's the problem: America doesn't control the Internet in the Middle East. Most of the servers that make up web infrastructure in foreign countries are not located in the United States -- they are based in those other countries. Trump would either have to convince service providers in other countries to shut off Internet access in certain regions or destroy local infrastructure to cut off Internet access to ISIS -- and we're not talking about an enemy who is located in just one country. So basically, it would not be simple for someone to turn off the Internet here and there -- even with Bill Gates' help.