Clark: ISIS is forcing a 'moment of truth'

[elleng]

Last edited Tue Aug 26, 2014, 09:39 PM - Edit history (1)

America was rightly shocked by the brutal, videotaped murder of American journalist James Foley.

But we should not have been surprised. The Islamic State, as the jihadist group calls itself, has murdered, raped and savaged its way across borders in the Mideast and into the headlines as the latest terrorist foe from the region.

Foley's murder not only gives terrorist stature to ISIS but also, if it draws U.S. ground troops into the fight, will have given ISIS a recruiting bonanza. So the U.S. response requires, not just a set of airstrikes in revenge, but serious strategic calculation.

The U.S. must build a coordinated regional response -- diplomatic, economic and military -- with ground troops from our regional allies and friends, and with possible U.S. support with intelligence, logistics and airstrikes. But we cannot fight this war for our Islamic friends in the region. . .

The U.S. can use diplomacy and economic assistance, and it can strike using airpower, or special forces, to reinforce the efforts of our allies, but we cannot fight a religious war as proxies for our Islamic friends in the region.

The Mideast is approaching its moment of truth, particularly for Saudi Arabia. Having exported and promoted extremist Sunni religious ideology, Saudi Arabia must face up to the threat posed by its own, even more extremist progeny. It must summon the courage to take a firm stand now, before ISIS becomes even stronger.

For the U.S. there is nothing to be gained by delay. We must work urgently, behind the scenes, to shape an effective regional response, in coordination with our friends and allies, now.

http://www.kesq.com/news/clark-isis-is-forcing-a-moment-of-truth/27744016

[Historic NY]

1. Serious Strategic Calculation...

means bleed at every chance, this is what drones can do. They should not go unchallenged, they shall know their actions will be met with the overwhelming strength that US government can project.

[flamingdem]

2. The problem is maintaining the attack when they are like insurgents

and their home base is a city full of civilians.

[Dems to Win]

3. Time for the Saudis to step up and fight their creation

From the article:

The U.S. has learned the hard way that Western armies inflame extremists and serve as recruiting magnets for terrorists. Instead, other nations, and particularly Saudi Arabia and other Sunni states, must put their soldiers forward, and bear the brunt of the fighting.

If American encouragement is needed to get the Saudis to put all that weaponry they bought from the US to use, fine. We'll hold their coats.

The Saudis have plenty of air power. They could be striking ISIS from the air today, if they would step up.