This makes sense, and it might be the only way to go. However, all nations should join in this effort. It should not be left to the U.S. alone.
We can't stop the Islamic State with a 'Desert Drizzle':
David A. Deptula2:46 p.m. EST November 14, 2015
Is it going to take the equivalent of the Paris bombings here, before Obama takes decisive action against the Islamic State?
(Photo: David Vincent, AP)
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Is it going to take the equivalent of the Paris bombings — or worse — in the United States beforePresident Obama takes decisive action against the Islamic State? Secretary Kerry stated last week that President Obama “has directed every member of his national security team to pick up the pace and move forward with ideas for degrading and defeating Daesh more rapidly, more completely and permanently.” That should not be difficult given that last month the president’s plan resulted in only 4 strikes a day in Syria. That is pathetic. For comparison, the number of air strikes during Desert Storm averaged over 1200 a day. The current operation in Syria is more appropriately named “Desert Drizzle.”
We have it within our capacity to destroy the Islamic State leading to the elimination of their sanctuary for terror. However, to do so will require moving beyond the current anemic, pinprick air strikes, to a robust, comprehensive use of airpower — not simply in support of indigenous allied ground forces, but as the key force in taking down the Islamic State. It will require focusing on the Islamic State as a government, not an insurgency, and for Central Command and their subordinate task force to stop fighting the last war, and start the serious use of airpower.
For over a year, US and coalition airpower has performed admirably in the mission to roll back the advances of the IS, across Iraq and Syria. But the asymmetric advantage airpower brings to the fight is in danger of being squandered. Air forces are being shackled with unwarranted constraints, leaving civilian populations to suffer sectarian butchery by the IS. Their influence is now moving outside the territory of the Islamic State, and must be stopped.
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We can't stop the Islamic State with a 'Desert Drizzle': Column
We can't stop the Islamic State with a 'Desert Drizzle':
David A. Deptula2:46 p.m. EST November 14, 2015
Is it going to take the equivalent of the Paris bombings here, before Obama takes decisive action against the Islamic State?
(Photo: David Vincent, AP)
282CONNECT 27TWEETLINKEDIN 18COMMENTEMAILMORE
Is it going to take the equivalent of the Paris bombings — or worse — in the United States beforePresident Obama takes decisive action against the Islamic State? Secretary Kerry stated last week that President Obama “has directed every member of his national security team to pick up the pace and move forward with ideas for degrading and defeating Daesh more rapidly, more completely and permanently.” That should not be difficult given that last month the president’s plan resulted in only 4 strikes a day in Syria. That is pathetic. For comparison, the number of air strikes during Desert Storm averaged over 1200 a day. The current operation in Syria is more appropriately named “Desert Drizzle.”
We have it within our capacity to destroy the Islamic State leading to the elimination of their sanctuary for terror. However, to do so will require moving beyond the current anemic, pinprick air strikes, to a robust, comprehensive use of airpower — not simply in support of indigenous allied ground forces, but as the key force in taking down the Islamic State. It will require focusing on the Islamic State as a government, not an insurgency, and for Central Command and their subordinate task force to stop fighting the last war, and start the serious use of airpower.
For over a year, US and coalition airpower has performed admirably in the mission to roll back the advances of the IS, across Iraq and Syria. But the asymmetric advantage airpower brings to the fight is in danger of being squandered. Air forces are being shackled with unwarranted constraints, leaving civilian populations to suffer sectarian butchery by the IS. Their influence is now moving outside the territory of the Islamic State, and must be stopped.
Continue reading at:
We can't stop the Islamic State with a 'Desert Drizzle': Column
