The terrorist attacks in Paris have unleashed a torrent of anti-Islamist rhetoric in the United States that casually dismisses the well-documented grievances that attract would-be jihadi fighters.

While the Democratic presidential candidates all refused to say the United States was at war with "radical Islam" during their Nov. 14 debate, the Republicans had no such qualms. Sensing a political opening, some went further and warned of a "civilizational" struggle — rhetoric that some experts caution plays right into the Islamic State playbook.

"It is a particular form, radical Islamism, that takes the view that anyone that doesn’t embrace their radical Islamic view must be murdered or forcibly converted," Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told Fox News on Nov. 14. "That’s what we’re seeing happening in Paris. It’s what we’re seeing happening in Israel, and I’m sorry to tell you, this will be coming to America."

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush skewered Democrat Hillary Clinton for not saying "Islamic terrorism" — even though his brother, George W. Bush, also avoided the term when he was president.