Islamic State takes control of Syria's Palmyra in westward advance. Can it be stopped? How?

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Thu, 21 May 2015 08:38:20 -0400

Islamic State seized full control of the historic city of Palmyra in central Syria on Thursday, just days after it captured a provincial capital in neighboring Iraq, suggesting momentum is building for the ultra-hardline group.

The twin successes pile pressure not just on Damascus and Baghdad, but also throw doubt on U.S. strategy to rely almost exclusively on air strikes to defeat the Sunni Muslim movement, which is an offshoot of al Qaeda.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/islamic-state-takes-control-of-syrias-palmyra-in-westward-advance/ar-BBk3FfQ

Islamic State says it has full control of Syria's Palmyra

Islamic State fighters tightened their grip on the historic Syrian city of Palmyra on Thursday and overran Iraqi government defenses east of Ramadi, the provincial capital that they seized five days earlier.

Response by SGT Orazio Castellana made May 21 at 2015 8:39 AM

SGT Orazio Castellana — Thu, 21 May 2015 08:39:31 -0400

No because US will not take real action against them.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 21 at 2015 9:03 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 21 May 2015 09:03:19 -0400

BIG bada-boom. That's how.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 21 at 2015 9:10 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 21 May 2015 09:10:57 -0400

It's out of our hands. we need to take a step back from the middle east and let the region find a way to stabilize itself. (like that will ever happen) All these "Silent Majorities" of peaceful Muslims need to step up and condemn and police these radical groups. Sunnis and Shias need to bridge their religious differences and learn to coexist like the Christians and Protestants of England back in the day - not that all the differences have been resolved but at least they're not lopping off each other's heads.

We as a democratic republic who (on paper anyways) has separated church and state can't force democracy on Islamic based governments where religion and government are one in the same. We've shown it doesn't work and this is yet another byproduct of our attempts to do so.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made May 21 at 2015 9:35 AM

MSgt James Mullis — Thu, 21 May 2015 09:35:06 -0400

Not by this administration!

Response by SFC(P) Aaron Fore made May 21 at 2015 9:41 AM

SFC(P) Aaron Fore — Thu, 21 May 2015 09:41:31 -0400

I will have to agree with MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca, We cannot solve their problems. Especially since they create their own problems out of ignorance, power lust and laziness on the part of the muslim world being apathetic to their own plight.

That region needs to pony up to the plate and fix their problem, we have spilled enough blood in an attempt to show them freedom that they do not want.

Response by SSG John Erny made May 21 at 2015 9:43 AM

SSG John Erny — Thu, 21 May 2015 09:43:56 -0400

An A-10 would make short work of that column.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 9:54 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 09:54:34 -0400

Yes, it can be stopped. But, no it will not be.

Response by SGT David T. made May 21 at 2015 10:15 AM

SGT David T. — Thu, 21 May 2015 10:15:33 -0400

As much as I hate to say it, the only thing that can stop them is boots on ground and an aggressive campaign to exterminate them. Until that happens, they will continue to gain ground.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 2:51 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 14:51:53 -0400

I am not sure how to take them out, but do know that they get larger and bolder by the day. The longer it takes us to take them out, the harder its going to be.

The question I have to ask though; why is this always Americas problem? Where is the rest of the world at?