The horrific mass murder of Egyptian Copts Sunday by ISIS in Libya and the weekend attacks in Denmark – presumably inspired by a similar mentality – show us once again that this evil menace is not confined to any one area, and as such, the response must be on an international scale.

This community of terrorists is irreligious, whatever its members might claim, and sees, among its victims, no difference in Muslims, Christians, Jews or atheists.

The immediate response from Egypt on Monday, with airstrikes targeting ISIS positions in Libya, represents the first time Cairo has acknowledged taking part in military action in its neighboring country. And this is exactly the sort of response that is now needed.

It is too little, too late to merely keep condemning the actions of these barbarians as “terrorist.” That is widely understood and accepted – indeed, they fit the moniker as defined by every available religious text and civil code.

Mere condemnations and hasty short-term measures are insufficient now. This dangerous menace has shown it has no qualms about destroying innocent lives wherever it can derive even the smallest semblances of support.

What is crucial now is that these gaps must be filled, so that ISIS and its affiliates are no longer allowed to manipulate local conditions to their benefit – be those geographical, economic, political or social.

And this effort needs the support of the United Nations, and all its member states, with as much strength and unity as was displayed by the allies facing the Nazis threat in World War II. An enemy this determined and this widespread needs an equivalent response.