Discussion for article #227351
Sometimes not having a strategy is a viable strategy. So sorry that his detractors are unable or unwilling to see that as they stampede over the cliff.
It’s been almost comical but also sad to listen to the squawks from the right and also from the far left as the adult in the Oval Office let’s this play out.
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We all need to check expectations when it comes to the ME. It is time for regional players to step up to the plate. Isn’t it abundantly clear that neocon idealism is not a strategy?
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The knowledgeable and disinterested observers I’ve read all say there are no good choices regarding ISIS in Iraq and especially in Syria. Everything you could do is fraught with potential problems and it’s nearly impossible to envision good outcomes for years to come. But it would take an unusual degree of honesty for anyone in politics to say so. And as you say, that leaves Obama as the adult grappling with what you could fairly call actual responsibilities while everyone else in Washington postures about it. How he doesn’t publicly explode with rage a dozen times a day is beyond me.
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For a group like ISIS to control a population long term requires two things. Food and water for that population. They are currently in the business of selling oil and brutalizing people. These endeavors will not result in the caliphate they desire. It will result in their end. I hope.
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The republicans and talking head “pundits” certainly deserve a series of public beyatch slaps. In my opinion.
When were you born? Yesterday?
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The amusing part is on the one hand they are all upset about Obama acting on his own to get stuff done in the face of Congressional inaction. On the other hand they want Obama to act on his own IMMEDIATELY if not sooner on taking out ISIS. They say he does not need to wait of informing Congress or anything. Act…NOW!!!#$one!!! Wait…don’t act unilaterally but HUH?
Hatched not born, reptiles are always hatched.
Regardless it’s been cornered on another topic by a Mod and it’s short unfulfilled life will soon be ended.
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The strategy is in front of our faces. The US is giving air support to give fighters on the ground an opportunity to take back lost terrain from the ISIL, with an emphasis right now on getting back, or reinforcing the various dams scattered through out Iraq. There was one report that Assad was bombing ISIL from the west, while we are working in northeastern Iraq, creating a pincer effect. With the supposed acknowledged entry of Iran into the mix, perhaps Iran is the go between so we don’t have to officially work with that bastard Assad. I await with interest to see hear what the president will reveal on Wednesday.
“But this is not going to be an announcement about U.S. ground troops. This is not the equivalent of the Iraq war.”
What modern liberals hear: He’s starting another Iraq occupation…
“He’s worse than Bush…ISIL don’t exist. Why won’t anyone listen to me?”
“What this is similar to is the kinds of counterterrorism campaigns that we’ve been engaging in consistently over the last five, six, seven years”
What Republicans hear: ISIL is coming, ISIL is coming…board up the country…
“He’s worse than Bush…Remember 9/11…er…I mean don’t remember 9/11…Oh, why won’t anyone listen to me?”
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Could well be. Our airstrikes are focusing on disrupting ISIS logistical support and rendering any and all vehicles or weaponry of ours that they captured from the Iraqi army.
This is the first phase of any effort that will meet with success. Any modern day strategy, especially in a desert environment will do this as the lead in to strikes against personnel.
That we were unable to be successful at this in Vietnam was a key factor in our efforts there being all for naught.
But John McCain thinks taking out every ISIS aircraft carrier should be priority number one.
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ISIS captured an aircraft carrier??? Heavens to Betsy!!
OK… somebody get Hannity on the blower…this hasta be related to Benghazi … it just hasta.
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One thing is certain: As soon as Obama announces his strategy Republicans will immediately stop attacking him for not having a strategy and start attacking him for having a strategy they don’t like. The strategy they DO like is Ted Cruz’s “Bomb them back into the Stone Age” strategy. In Republicanese, the word “strategy” is a synonym for “brute force.”
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