Daesh (ISIS) Is Recruiting Fighters Faster Than We Can Kill Them

2015-06-10T10:56:11-04:00

With a ready-made and fertile recruiting grounds of Syria and Iraq, Daesh seems to be able to replenish their losses faster than we can kill them. Some advocate for American troops to be back on the ground in an direct combat role, others want us to support the Iraqi Army with equipment and intelligence and others want American troops back in Iraq was only in an advisory role. I believe in the "teach a man to fish" approach. We can't continue to fight Iraq's battles for it ad infinitum. At some point they need to realize that they have more in the fight and that fleeing the fight en masse as they tend to do is essentially giving up their country to Daesh on a silver platter. What is the overall consensus of RP?

https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/06/09/airstrikes-killing-thousands-of-islamic-state-fighters-but-it-just-recruits-more/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Flashpoints&utm_campaign=New%20Campaign

Airstrikes Killing Thousands of Islamic State Fighters, but It Just Recruits More

Foreign fighters are flocking to Iraq and Syria, as the militant group also recruits from areas under its control.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 10:57 AM

2015-06-10T10:57:08-04:00

we're doing it wrong then

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 11:14 AM

2015-06-10T11:14:07-04:00

Because our administration is extremely tepid. The pResident doesn't have the resolve to provide the resources necessary to complete the mission.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 12:07 PM

2015-06-10T12:07:01-04:00

I think it's a multiple front battle. The Iraqi army needs to be trained, equipped, and supported. I also think that other major players in the region need to get more involved. We also need to be more aggressive in stifling their recruiting rate. Again, we need other powers in the region to get more involved. This is not a problem that you can just throw money and equipment at and expect results. We're not just fighting an army, we're fighting a set of ideals. Very extreme ideals.

Response by CPT Carl Kisely made Jun 11 at 2015 12:44 PM

2015-06-11T12:44:33-04:00

I'm amazed at how many people here in the US seem to think we can bomb them out of existence. To be clear, we aren't the reason they have a terminal view of the world. However, I offer this example:
Imagine the US were invaded by a military force from..... lets use Holland. This group hates...... lets say Catholics. So they kill a bunch of bishops, a cardinal, bomb a bunch of churches, and kill/rape a lot of the parishioners. What do you think will happen here in the US?
Naturally, as a gun-loving country, we are going to rise up and take arms to defeat these damned Dutch! The Catholics will pretend to be protestant and walk around and get intelligence on the Dutch soldiers, then attack their weak points and kill as many Dutch as they can. They will attempt to make life miserable for the Dutch. They may even send people to Holland via France to blow up important political/religious/commercial landmarks in Holland. Does anyone seriously believe the Catholics will all just decide to be protestant?
When I hear an LTC or COL on the news talking about "bomb them without prejudice" I know that person to be a narrow minded individual.
Is military action warranted? In some situations. To protect populations. Sure, sometimes we need to do that sort of thing. But to pretend that "kill 'em all" is the answer is to lie to yourself.
The key terrain in a terrorist fight is beliefs. Fighting that fight is not military. It is education, it is enforcement of human rights, it is about democratic governments.

Response by MSgt Mike Brown; MBTI-CP; MA, Ph.D. made Jun 12 at 2015 5:16 PM

2015-06-12T17:16:21-04:00

This has grown and exploded before our eyes with a year -- Either eliminate the enemy with massive, overwhelming force, or watch the Saudi Kingdom fall next -- opinion only...