By Dave Huntwork ——Bio and Archives--September 14, 2014
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First, we will conduct a systematic campaign of air strikes against these terrorists. Working with the Iraqi government, we will expand our efforts beyond protecting our own people and humanitarian missions, so that we're hitting ISIL targets as Iraqi forces go on offense. Moreover, I have made it clear that we will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are. That means I will not hesitate to take action against ISIL in Syria, as well as Iraq. This is a core principle of my presidency: if you threaten America, you will find no safe haven. ... This is our strategy. And in each of these four parts of our strategy, America will be joined by a broad coalition of partners. Already, allies are flying planes with us over Iraq; sending arms and assistance to Iraqi Security Forces and the Syrian opposition; sharing intelligence; and providing billions of dollars in humanitarian aid. Secretary Kerry was in Iraq today meeting with the new government and supporting their efforts to promote unity, and in the coming days he will travel across the Middle East and Europe to enlist more partners in this fight, especially Arab nations who can help mobilize Sunni communities in Iraq and Syria to drive these terrorists from their lands. This is American leadership at its best: we stand with people who fight for their own freedomDefense Secretary Chuck Hagel outlined some more of the possible participants. He suggested that a "core coalition" would include the United States, Britain, France, Australia, Canada, Germany, Turkey, Italy, Poland and Denmark. The 10 Arab "frenemy" states that committed on Thursday to the fight against ISIS included the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The new coalition also includes Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq. At the time of the publication of this article some 40 nations had supposedly joined this "broad coalition" to defeat ISIS. But does that mean anything other than the provision of some thin cover for a nation still perceived as Christian raining down death and destruction (complete with inevitable civilian casualties) on what are in fact, despite Obama's protestations, Muslims?
[Campaigns in Somalia and Yemen] have dragged on for years and involve far smaller and less-well-financed adversaries than the Islamic State. Although Obama promised a "steady, relentless effort" in a nationally televised address Wednesday night, he also said that "it will take time to eradicate a cancer like ISIL," using a common acronym for the Islamic State. Such a mission was not the U.S. military's preferred option. Responding to a White House request for options to confront the Islamic State, Gen. Lloyd Austin, the top commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, said that his best military advice was to send a modest contingent of American troops, principally Special Operations forces, to advise and assist Iraqi army units in fighting the militants, according to two U.S. military officials. The recommendation, conveyed to the White House by Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was cast aside in favor of options that did not involve U.S. ground forces in a front-line role, a step adamantly opposed by the White House. Instead, Obama had decided to send an additional 475 U.S. troops to assist Iraqi and ethnic Kurdish forces with training, intelligence and equipment. Recommitting ground combat forces to Iraq would have been highly controversial, and most likely would have been opposed by a substantial majority of Americans. But Austin's predecessor, retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, said the decision not to send ground troops poses serious risks to the mission.So, in effect, President Obama has rejected the "Afghan model" that was used to successfully drive the Taliban from power in 100 days. It consisted of front line Special Forces and CIA paramilitaries calling in pinpoint US air strikes on targets as they moved and worked in tandem with local opposition forces to defeat the enemy. It's a devastating strategy that has proven to be extremely effective in the past. What a shame. It's how we really should wage war from now on. On top of that, an unnamed U.S. general also told WaPo the other day that defeating ISIS would be much harder than anything we've done in Afghanistan or Iraq. Great, just great. If President Obama quickly waffles, loses interest, and walks away from this tough talking but shallow commitment as well, we can then rename it the "Broad Coalition of None."
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David Huntwork is an experienced conservative activist, chairman of the Conservative Patriot Alliance (http://www.conservativepatriotalliance.com), and the proud father of three daughters. The son, grandson, and great-grandson of ministers of the Gospel, he brings a unique blended background of theology and ideology to the great debates of the day. He believes that Faith, Family, and Freedom is the formula for success and the key to a good life and a healthy nation. You can contact him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).