[T]he Ramadi victory hints at progress for Iraq in the healing of old divisions. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the victory on television by noting the cooperation of “different affiliations and religions and sects” among various Iraqi forces (Sunni, Shiite, and tribal). He said Sunni police forces will now patrol the mainly Sunni city …
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The Measure of Progress Against Islamic State
Posted December 30th, 2015 at 11:01 am (UTC-4)
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Kerry Praises Rout of ISIS in Ramadi
Posted December 29th, 2015 at 12:40 pm (UTC-4)
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“Working with our Iraqi and Syrian partners, the United States and our Coalition will continue to apply relentless pressure and squeeze this barbaric terrorist group across all lines of effort.”
ISIS Loses Ground With Recapture of Ramadi
Posted December 29th, 2015 at 11:44 am (UTC-4)
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It was hard not to feel good about news that Iraqi forces backed by U.S. military retook Ramadi, a key Iraqi city, from Islamic State militants despite the cautious words from top Obama administration officials. “While Ramadi is not yet fully secure and additional parts of the city still must be retaken, Iraq’s national flag now flies above the provincial government center and enemy forces have suffered a major defeat,” said Secretary of State John Kerry in a statement. The mission to defeat ISIS remains long and unpredictable. But after a year of seemingly endless bad news about the war on terror – not the least of which was the brutal and deadly mass shooting of civilians at a holiday party in San Bernardino, California by a radicalized Muslim couple – it feels good to hold onto this moment of hope.
Obama’s Tacit Alliance with Iran Against ISIS Is Doomed to Failure
Posted June 9th, 2015 at 12:20 pm (UTC-4)
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Rather than revamp a failed strategy, U.S. officials now appear ready to rely (at least tacitly) on Iran to help roll back the jihadis.
More US Air Power Needed to Defeat IS, Defense Expert Says
Posted May 29th, 2015 at 5:54 pm (UTC-4)
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“Right now the problem with Syria, and it’s a true tragedy, is there really aren’t good options for a US strategy.” Anthony Cordesman
Bypass Iraqi Government
Posted May 21st, 2015 at 3:54 pm (UTC-4)
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The United States should move to directly support Sunni tribes against ISIS, outside of the Iraqi government if necessary, much as the U.S. did to support the Kurdish peshmerga last year.
War on ISIL Far From Over
As critical as the military dimension is, though, what’s even more important in Iraq is the politics: If the Iraqis can’t temper the internal struggle between Sunnis and Shiites, military victories could be undermined by sectarian strife.