Posted on 09/11/2014 9:12:37 AM PDT by Kaslin
Last night, Barack Obama promised America that he would take the fight to ISIS/ISIL, using a four-pronged strategy that he laid out in his much-anticipated war speech. In each phase of this strategy, Obama insisted, we would be joined by a broad coalition of partners, emphases mine:
Obama ISIS Speech [FULL] 9/10/14: Outlining a Battle Plan | The New York Times
First, we will conduct a systematic campaign of airstrikes against these terrorists. Working with the Iraqi government, we will expand our efforts beyond protecting our own people and humanitarian missions, so that were 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 freedom; and we rally other nations on behalf of our common security and common humanity.
How broad? Well, at least on Phase One, our closest strategic ally is saying no thanks:
Britain’s foreign secretary says his country won’t participate in airstrikes on Syria, following an announcement from Washington that it would begin hitting targets inside the country.
Speaking Thursday after talks with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Philip Hammond said Britain won’t be “revisiting” the issue after Parliament decided last year against participating in airstrikes.
For that matter, Germany has also demurred from Phase One as it relates to striking ISIS in Syria:
The foreign ministers of Germany and Britain said on Thursday they would not be taking part in air strikes in Syria against the Islamic State militant group.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told a news conference in Berlin that Germany has not been asked to take part in the air strikes and would not be participating. “To quite clear, we have not been asked to do so and neither will we do so,” Steinmeier said.
I’m old enough to remember when not having France in the coalition was enough to discredit George W. Bush’s “coalition of the willing.” France has been at many times a balky ally, but Germany has been more consonant with American policy — and the UK practically our twin on global security. This sounds like a NATO split, which would come at a very bad time indeed for Europe as it faces a resurgent and aggressive Russian threat.
More to the point, though, what does this say about Obama’s strategic preparation? Did he bother to check in with the Brits and the Germans before pledging his “broad coalition of partners” last night? It would appear not, and that Obama just assumed that they would follow whatever plan he laid out last night. Obama could have framed the Syrian phase separately as a uniquely American security concern and set expectations properly. Instead, it looks as though Obama and his political team wrote a speech without building the necessary commitment from allies to allow them to be part of a united front on global security.
And what does that say about the rest of Obama’s claims in the speech?
Of course, the Arab League pledged to confront ISIS militarily, financially, and economically, and could provide Obama with some claim to a “broad coalition” — assuming that they can be counted on to do more than talk. John Kerry is in Saudi Arabia pitching for more assistance today:
U.S. and Arab diplomats moved swiftly Thursday to rally military and financial backing for a wider international assault against Islamic State militants.
Following up on President Obamas call to arms against the network that has laid claim to a third of the territory of Iraq and Syria, Secretary of State John F. Kerry was meeting here with diplomats from across the Middle East.
The group is considering expanded military help such as more bases for airstrikes and new Arab training initiatives for Syrian rebels fighting the Islamists as well as Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
The Saudis wanted the air strikes on Assad last year, and got angry when the US balked at the plan. Now we’re bombing ISIS rather than Assad, but Kerry still wants a quid pro quo, and will likely get something. But if he’s hoping for boots on the ground in Iraq and Syria to fight against ISIS, Kerry’s likely to come away disappointed, and boots on the ground is what will be needed to “roll back” the gains made by ISIS, another pledge in Obama’s speech last night.
Once the bombs start falling in Syria, there's no telling who they might end up falling on.
It must not be that serious a cancer then.
Cancer, you may hide in Syria if you wish.
MAN that what I thinking of Chappelle show skit Black Bush
I know what Obama is thinking on this one...it'll piss Putin off...and like what is Putin going to do about it.....attack the US????
That idiot thinks he can get 40 nations to join him. He’s lucky if he gets 9
It was so good, it’s is almost prophetic.
Obama can likely count on Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. And maybe some others. Or not.
Who can blame England or Germany from distancing themselves from the Kenyan Klown’s lies and vague rhetoric?
They know - as do IS - that Obama is too busy on the back nine to formulate and worry about a strategy.
Obama the ally will tempt you into fighting on a Benghazi rooftop.
Then he will abandon you.
Then he will go enjoy golf in Vegas with Jay Z.
That is what the world thinks of our president.
that’s why they won’t help us now and that’s why it won’t change until Obama is gone.
well Liberia and the Maldives are still out there...
The Arab League has spoken, they want Assad’s head:
“U.S. and Arab diplomats moved swiftly Thursday to rally military and financial backing for a wider international assault against Islamic State militants.
Following up on President Obamas call to arms against the network that has laid claim to a third of the territory of Iraq and Syria, Secretary of State John F. Kerry was meeting here with diplomats from across the Middle East.
The group is considering expanded military help such as more bases for airstrikes and new Arab training initiatives for Syrian rebels fighting the Islamists as well as Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.”
And Syria will end up looking like Libya, all rubble and ashes.
And Syria will end up looking like Libya, all rubble and ashes>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Exactly true. Obama will create another debacle but this one will be Vietnam, the sequel.Mission creep, incremental increase of US boots on the ground,, liberal fascist US politicians calling the shots instead of the Generals, limited Rules of Engagement, no definition of Victory.All the same Vietnam ingredients are present.
This is the legacy of a liberal fascist pesident, Barrack Obama: The destruction of America as a World power , a huge mess left for the next president to try and clean up. A far more dangerous world and discivilization.
Horrid. I wish the Obama bastid had never been born to plague us.
At least we don’t have a consulate in Syria (that we know of) for them to attack. :>/
All Bammy needs now is a cowboy hat for his pretend game of cowboys and Muslims, a pair of boots to wade through his own crap, and a phallic tool for use with the horse he rode in on.
So there’ll be no need to cobble together a fake video and create a spontaneous riot?
I hope comrade obama doesn’t lose any military aircraft assets because I doubt that he’ll replace any during his lame duck tenure.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.