Remember that group called ISIS?
Why did we go to war with Germany. Only John Belushi thought they bombed Pearl Harbor.
We don’t want Raqqa, or shouldn’t. The only thing we should want is ISIS dead.
They should seal off any escape routes and make sure no military-aged men leave there alive.
Escalation is scary. It’ll change the subject from the election, if they do it.
This will never be fixed until the ME has strong government and borders. Transnationals will continue to go between countries causing problems. I dunno if they have this fixed or ever will.
Sounds like it’ll be screwed up. I see nothing more than some silly northern alliance style thing like in Afghanistan.
This is a time to make them into an object lesson. Blast them in such a way that actually shocks the world and re-instills fear of the USA.
And I see no plan for mass arrests inside a perimeter and hanging hundreds for war crimes. They will all flee back to Europe.
And not a word that we will turn it over to the Syrian government.
Our generals will screw this up like they have everything else for the last 20 years.
We knock a few legs from out under the table, to allow local neighborhood types to manuevuer. We have a vested interest in defeating ISIL, however, we do not own the fight. Create enough space to allow the local players to move, and we’ve done our part. Scope creep is always the danger. There is no victory for us, just influence.
The caliph of the Islamic State made an American woman his personal rape slave. I want him tried in America.
Thank God we have Trump on our side.
The ISIS Caliphate is being systematically destroyed. Their last major strongholds of Mosul and Raqaa will be retaken in a few months.
The Mosul operation is very well supported, but the Raqqa assault force (the Kurdish-led SDF) is lean and lightly equipped. Doing the numbers, it would take them a long time, and a lot of casualties (we want Raqqa more than they do - its majority Arab).
US Army Rangers are already landing in Syria, and there has been talk of elements of the 82nd Airborne Division deploying as well. They might provide artillery and logistic support, as well as guarding roads and key assets (able to destroy suicide vehicles with their TOW missiles) rather than go door-to-door.
Turkey has threatened to block the use of Incirlik Air Base for the Raqqa operation, so they have to have the firepower to replace air support, or (less likely) build, operate and defend an air base nearby.
Just doing what it takes, to get it done.
Non-stop war actually seems to benefit the Left as it ultimately supports big government, its cronies, and their suck up media
It’s amazing what transpires when a country finally gets arms to fight against ISIS. Put that in your pipe and smoke it obama.
Very interesting. Thanks for posting.