The seizure of various northern Iraqi cities by the terror organization Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) has left Washington scrambling to articulate a coherent strategy.
The Obama administration is contemplating sending special operations forces as advisers to the Iraqi army in a desperate attempt to stem the tide against Al Qaeda-inspired Sunni Muslim insurgents from gaining more territory.
The Associated Press, citing three U.S. officials, reported early Tuesday that the White House was weighing the option. It’s not clear how quickly Special Forces could arrive in Iraq. It’s also unknown whether they would remain in Baghdad or be sent to the nation’s north, ISIS has captured large amount of territory, and now putting pressure on Baghdad, the capital of the Shiite-led government.
As the crisis unfolded this month, both Republicans and Democrats have reverted back to partisan warfare each blaming the other for the ongoing mess instead of working on a solution to the current situation.
Everyone needs to realize that both parties voted for the war in Iraq, and key members of the president’s national security team voted for the war as well. Let’s get past the bickering and come up with a viable strategy, not only for Iraq but for the region.
Many experts have contemplated the use of American air power to stem the advance of ISIS, but before the military option is utilized one must ask what our strategy for Iraq is? What are the unintended consequences of the use of military force should the president decide on that course of action?
The famous 19th century military strategist Karl von Clausewitz stated, “War is the continuation of policy by other means.”
As of now the administration is monitoring the situation with White House Press Secretary stating, “We have been very aware and have discussed here and in other venues the challenge posed by the war in Syria, and the extremist activity there, and the ISIS as it formed and moved across the border into Iraq.”
Carney continued, “And that has always been a great concern. That is why we have stepped up the assistance that we’ve been providing to the Iraqi security forces.”
Retired General Barry McCaffrey commenting on MSNBC, “I think what we’re going to end up seeing is tremendous pressure on President Obama and his team to do some symbolic U.S. military action, intelligence collection, perhaps some remote strikes with missiles which will be ineffectual, will not change the situation on the ground, and indeed will engage us, to some extent, to a counterterrorism force.”
In the absence of a coherent political strategy, the use of the military option could exacerbate an even more chaotic crisis.
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