Confidence growing that Arab states will join fight against Islamic State in Iraq
Daniel Flitton

MELBOURNE: -- Confidence is growing that at least some Arab nations will join the fight against Islamist fighters in Iraq with "kinetic action" - a military euphemism for air strikes.

But diplomats are wary about chances the United Nations will back strikes in neighbouring Syria, with the legal basis for any international action still to be thrashed out.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has met with her Iranian counterpart at UN headquarters in New York to canvass Australia's concerns about the strength of Islamic State.

Australia has joined US President Barack Obama in urging the region to confront the Islamist fighters sweeping across from Syria's civil war into Iraq.

It is believed the rulers in some Arab countries have indicated a willingness to engage in air strikes and military training.

But any strikes would be in Iraq where the government has invited foreign intervention, and not Syria, where the Assad regime is still predominantly recognised as the government.

Full story: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/confidence-growing-that-arab-states-will-join-fight-against-islamic-state-in-iraq-20140922-10kdj6.html


-- News.com.au 2014-09-22

The US will never win this war against IS until their huge financial backing is cut-off at source. It's a modern-day siege that's needed, and the US has the technology to do that.

Does the USA have a president that will do what needs to be done to destroy IS? That is the question.

Does the USA have a president that will do what needs to be done to destroy IS? That is the question.

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USA is not the only interested party involved. In fact, it seems to me, nations in the Middle East should provide the bulk of finance and any boots on the ground. Or isn't there a problem? If not, let's all go home. I, as one American do not support sending young men and women in harm's way. So, let's talk policy, actions required and leave questions of Obama's leadership out of this. We react as a people, without domestic politics involved, or we stay home. Personally, I am investing in military arms suppliers as it appears the Hawks still think war is the only answer to many international scenarios. Definitely, sometimes fighting is needed, but not to be done as a first response and only with the USA being a partner with others calling for the action and committing to the fight.

And in the mean time, the New York Times of all sources prints this article... Seems the Iraqis are quite sure that the CIA is in bed with ISIS... Imagine that!!!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/21/world/middleeast/suspicions-run-deep-in-iraq-that-cia-and-the-islamic-state-are-united.html

So, let's talk policy, actions required and leave questions of Obama's leadership out of this.

Why would we leave questions of Obama's leadership out of this? He is the president of the United States and the commander in chief and America is the one behind the air strikes.

As to the New York Times article. It does call the Iraqi claims "conspiracy theories." Maybe you missed that.

The US will never win this war against IS until their huge financial backing is cut-off at source. It's a modern-day siege that's needed, and the US has the technology to do that.

How is funding ISIS?

The US will never win this war against IS until their huge financial backing is cut-off at source. It's a modern-day siege that's needed, and the US has the technology to do that.

How is funding ISIS?

Dont you mean who?

Try benefactors in Saudi etc.

No one in the US or elsewhere has the balls to tell the Saudis how the camel chews the cabbage.

Until that time comes the Saudis will play one side against the other, as they usually do.

We in the West should have let OBL overthrow the Saudi dictators years ago.

Summed up in one word, OIL.

I agree with the previous poster, no boots on the ground, lets the Saudis and their allies organise it and sort it out themselves.

I for one remember the Saudis shytting themselves when good ole boy Saddam took Kuwait, why he ever stopped at the border will remain a mystery, he could have taken Riyadh in 6 hours, and no one would have stopped him.

Replying to Confidence growing that Arab states will join fight against Islamic State in Iraq

We would consider joining in but we are short of weapons at present, if someone were to supply us with more, free of charge, then we would be more able to give renewed consideration to helping.