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I realize this is beyond most of our pay grade. The president specifically said on Friday the 13th no troops on the ground (hopefully he'll stand by his word this time). Would you still have confidence in him if he falls back on his word?
The group (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) is spreading like wildfire in the heart of Middle East. Can anything be done to restore peace there? I never been there so I plead the 5th
The group (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) is spreading like wildfire in the heart of Middle East. Can anything be done to restore peace there? I never been there so I plead the 5th
Iraq
ISIS
Middle East
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 16
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I view ISIS like I do a Hornets' nest, if you do not destroy early, it will continue to expand, and the Hornets will attack you regardless if you leave them alone or not.
If you get it early, it is easy to take care of and your done with it. You wait too long, it gets harder to destroy the nest, there is more of them to attack you, and they just keep coming back because it is hard to get them all in one place and at one time.
Unfortunately, the current policy of little to no intervention has gotten us to the latter position.
If you get it early, it is easy to take care of and your done with it. You wait too long, it gets harder to destroy the nest, there is more of them to attack you, and they just keep coming back because it is hard to get them all in one place and at one time.
Unfortunately, the current policy of little to no intervention has gotten us to the latter position.
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Suspended Profile
LTC Paul Heinlein
Gunboat Diplomacy => Warthogs, AC-130s, B-52s, Carpet Bombing, Napalm B . . .
Seek and destroy leadership, command, control, logistics, armor, artillery, troops . . .
. . . no geographic limitations . . . then let the locals clean up the remaining rabble . . .
Warmest Regards, Sandy
Gunboat Diplomacy => Warthogs, AC-130s, B-52s, Carpet Bombing, Napalm B . . .
Seek and destroy leadership, command, control, logistics, armor, artillery, troops . . .
. . . no geographic limitations . . . then let the locals clean up the remaining rabble . . .
Warmest Regards, Sandy
Suspended Profile
SPC David S.. Nice political analysis; but, these people appear to be well beyond any semblance of control or manipulation . . . rather like an Islamic Golem run amok!!! This one must be put down . . . or it will continue to run out of control. Warmest Regards, Sandy
SPC David S.
I agree. While I think my previous realpolitik response was the intent if that is the case this one might may have got out of the bag. The true problem derives from a fundamental difference in ideology that arose with Sunni–Shia split that occurred when the Islamic prophet Muhammad died, elected vs. divinely ordained.
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CMDCM Gene Treants
1LT Sandy Annala I am very happy you added the no geographic limitations or we might be looking at a war we fought in the 1960s all over again. Terrorists have no limitations and IF we are really going to fight them we need to go after them in the same way.
Let's not forget the 300 (at least) people carrying American Passports. Those Passports need to be revoked since they have joined a war against the US. (All enemies foreign and domestic.) Once they attempt to return to OUR country they need to be tried as terrorists also, not as political dissidents.
Let's not forget the 300 (at least) people carrying American Passports. Those Passports need to be revoked since they have joined a war against the US. (All enemies foreign and domestic.) Once they attempt to return to OUR country they need to be tried as terrorists also, not as political dissidents.
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I try NOT to think of ISIS, but when I do, it involves carpet bombing. Stay thirsty, my friends.
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ISIS is a cancer spreading throughout the middle east. It poses a distinct threat to our national interests at the global level. Unless we wish to dissolve out relationship with every nation in the region and the strategic benefits those relationship bring, we must eliminate the cancer. The problem for the United States, or any other western Nation is the indigenous people of the region either do not want something different, or they are incapable of mounting a credible resistance. If we are to get involved we need to stay long enough for them to create the social change within their own country enabling them to stand on their own.
However, we must go at it for the long haul. The problems facing us int he region did not develop overnight, or even over the last ten, twenty, or more years. These problems have been festering for centuries and there are no easy or quick, or inexpensive solutions. We must develop an alliance with other nations equally exposed to this danger and formulate a cohesive set of solutions to address this problem. Then, we as a Nation must agree to get in it for the long haul. Not ten years, not 20 years, but perhaps 50 or more years.
There is plenty of precedence to allies remaining. We are still in Europe, Korea, and the Balkans Our presence need not be as occupiers, rather enablers.
However, we must go at it for the long haul. The problems facing us int he region did not develop overnight, or even over the last ten, twenty, or more years. These problems have been festering for centuries and there are no easy or quick, or inexpensive solutions. We must develop an alliance with other nations equally exposed to this danger and formulate a cohesive set of solutions to address this problem. Then, we as a Nation must agree to get in it for the long haul. Not ten years, not 20 years, but perhaps 50 or more years.
There is plenty of precedence to allies remaining. We are still in Europe, Korea, and the Balkans Our presence need not be as occupiers, rather enablers.
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I don't believe that the use of conventional troops would be effective in this situation. Terrorism is not a definite state and is harder to attack and nearly impossible to completely eliminate. Unconventional warfare through the use of special operations is the best hope for peace.
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LTC Paul Labrador
But this is not unconventional warfare. This is open warfare using conventional tactics. The problem is not defeating them on the battlefield. We can easily do that. The problem is the "what next?".
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PO1 (Join to see)
I guess the only solution is strengthen country from within and hope they'll carry the momentum. Or suffer massive losses and our efforts have gone in vain
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My stance as a military medic is to care for the injured coalition forces and innocent civilians. As for military action, I follow the lawful orders of the Commander in Chief. My personal opinion....Secure our borders!!
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SFC Charles S.
Sir, I fully agree with what you say, including secure our own borders. I'm just trying to see what the pulse of our on duty forces might be. Not that we would ever actually have a say in this, but I'm sure we all have opinions about it.
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IMHO we should do nothing and allow the region to deal with it on thier own terms. It's not a very humanitarian reaction, but I feel we have done enough, given enough, and sacrificed enough for Iraq. It's time for Iraq to fight for itself. my analysis of the region and likely outcomes is based too much on "if:then" but realisitically the United States cannot have a positive effect there until and unless the Iraqi Government is able to demonstrate it can fight and win on its own; to legitimize itself in the eyes of it's own people.
edit:sp
edit:sp
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PO1 (Join to see)
First things first: we must look out for our assets first, such as embassies and bases. So far air strikes are a go once mass concentration of ISIS in the same locale is confirmed. As for ISIS itself, I think it's just a matter of time until it begins to starve and attrition begins.
The regime is too radical and the world overall desires status quo over such drastic and violent ideas. The answer may not be ideal, but waiting until the bloody movement weakens, whether it be few more months or years is perhaps the best way for it to die until any attempts to reintroduce democracy in the Middle East are made
The regime is too radical and the world overall desires status quo over such drastic and violent ideas. The answer may not be ideal, but waiting until the bloody movement weakens, whether it be few more months or years is perhaps the best way for it to die until any attempts to reintroduce democracy in the Middle East are made
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I fear we can say hello to round 2. Take away the tanks and fighter planes, you are still left to fight the ground guys. That region has always needed an iron fist. I know it is unpopular to say, but they needed an a$$!@#$ to instill the fear of God/Allah into them. Even in our own country, when the people get really pissed and riot the cops pull back and regroup. The crowd goes INSANE. The police return not with psychiatrists and analysts, but with tear gas, water cannons, and billy clubs until the mob is put down. If the cops just leave.....what do you think happens?? If you are going to commit, be prepared to stay for a generation or two. I believe it will take 20 years just to make some sense of stability. It will take additional generations to try to change thinking. I'm not able to return to duty so it is easy for me to say "Let's go kick a$$" It needs to be a coalition effort. America CANNOT be Team America until there is peace in the middle east.
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