Posted on 09/11/2014 8:04:46 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar
Retired Marine Gen. John Allen will coordinate the broad international effort to battle the Islamic State militants, as the campaign against the extremist group ramps up and nations begin to determine what role each will play, U.S. officials said Thursday.
Allen, who has been serving as a security adviser to Secretary of State John Kerry, is expected to work with the almost 40 nations around the world who have agreed to join the fight and help them coordinate what each will contribute, several officials told The Associated Press.
The officials spoke about Allen's expected appointment on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter ahead of an announcement.
Allen comes to the job with vast experience coordinating international allies on the warfront. He served as deputy commander in Iraq's Anbar province from 2006 to 2008, working with Arab partners on organizing the Sunni uprising against al-Qaida. He moved from there to serve for two years as the deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, which oversees military troops and operations in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia.
Allen next became the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan from 2011 to 2013, where he worked with international allies who sent troops to the battlefield.
As a result of his experience, Allen is very familiar many of the Middle East nations and leaders considered crucial to the latest effort to degrade and destroy the Islamic State group militants who have seized control of portions of Iraq and Syria in a ruthless reign of terror. He also has worked closely with most of the key military and diplomatic leaders, including Gen. Lloyd Austin, the current head of U.S. Central Command, who will oversee America's military campaign.
President Barack Obama announced Wednesday night that the U.S. will be expanding airstrikes in Iraq and into Syria, in an aggressive move to root out the Islamic State group extremists where ever they are. Obama, Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel have spent the last week meeting with international leaders overseas in an effort to build a broad coalition of nations — particularly Arab countries in the region — to aid the fight.
Officials are looking for partners to help train moderate Syrian rebels, work with the Iraqi security forces, contribute equipment, ammunition, intelligence, logistics and funding, as well as possibly also launch airstrikes.
Active Duty ping.
His boss said just today that this isn't a war. WT...!
General Allen’s Profile: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-20309889
Recent Op-ed: http://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2014/08/gen-allen-destroy-islamic-state-now/92012/
almost 40 nations,, operating under the direction of a retired Marine General.
What could possibly go wrong .. or right?
Let’s hope he has the guts to resist commands from the Communist Muslims Obama has put in charge everywhere to fight on the wrong side and to aid our enemies.
I don’t know him, but I’m afraid I’ve very doubtful. The odds that Obama would choose a real leader to run this affair are about zero.
Apparently not bothered by Prince Obie’s Afghanistan ROE or he wouldn’t still be associated with this administration. Period.
Another ad hoc maneuver. Obama isn’t even JV. He’s a no talent air baller.
Let PUFF and MOAB play too!!!
Minimize friendly casualties thru the use of overwhelming force and weaponry.
He’s as much a legend on the court as he is on the course, Obama, that ISIS.. who read him like a Mickey Spillane paperback.. and beg for more.
Since a grand total of one, I repeat, one country has committed to actual military assistance, I doubt this reprobate will have too much trouble getting things organized.
Australia? Correct.
Correct, in for air support.
I wondered about the 40 claimed by Stars and Stripes. I didn’t nap that long.
Great, big flop. We are going to pay, in all ways possible.
Maybe it counts if a nation offers to supply us with spare wrenches and light bulbs, and other things like that.
For a No bell piece prize winner, Barry sure is a bellicose little Mary.
Is the General a full proponent of homosexuality/tranny in the military, and has he agreed to ROE that includes no killing of beloved Muslims for any reason?
I do not know him.
They could hold these meetings in the back seat of a smart car.
Good luck, Gen.
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.