US Senator John McCain blasts administration's fight against Islamic State

[webfact]

Senator blasts administration's fight against Islamic State
By RICHARD LARDNER

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration's fight against the Islamic State is at risk of becoming a "grinding failure for our nation," an influential Republican senator said Tuesday in a broadside that illustrated the mounting frustrations in Congress with the U.S. strategy to defeat the extremist group.

In a brief but pointed letter to Defense Secretary Ash Carter, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said U.S. military commanders are being hamstrung by an overly cautious Obama administration.

McCain drew a parallel between the campaign against the Islamic State and the war in Vietnam, a conflict he served in as a Navy pilot.

"As a young military officer, I bore witness to the failed policy of gradual escalation that ultimately led to our nation's defeat in the Vietnam War," he wrote. "I fear this administration's grudging incrementalism in the war against the Islamic State risks another slow, grinding failure for our nation."

Carter has described the U.S. as making considerable strides against the Islamic State. He told reporters at the Pentagon last month that the U.S. progress in eliminating members of the group's "cabinet" was hampering its ability to conduct and inspire attacks against the West.

President Barack Obama also has claimed headway in the fighting. The U.S. and its coalition partners have rolled back the Islamic State group's control of territory, he has said, and a new but fragile government has been formed in Libya.

But McCain said he has talked to military commanders both on the ground and at the Pentagon. Those conversations "have led me to the disturbing, yet unavoidable conclusion that they have been reduced from considering what it will take to win to what they will be allowed to do by this administration," he wrote.

U.S. service members will pay the price for the absence of a coherent strategy and commitment to winning, McCain said. In Vietnam, the lack of a clear plan of action led to an erosion of public support and America's eventual withdrawal.

McCain was a prisoner of war in North Vietnam for more than five years, an experience that adds weight to his criticism. In October 1967, during a bombing mission over North Vietnam, a missile struck McCain's plane, forcing him to eject. He was imprisoned in what become known as the "Hanoi Hilton," where he was denied medical treatment and tortured by the North Vietnamese. He was released in March 1973.

In the letter to Carter, McCain said his committee needs a full accounting of the current scale and scope of U.S. military operations against the Islamic State. Among the figures he wants are the numbers of U.S. military and civilian personnel in Iraq and Syria, and the length of time needed to retake Islamic State strongholds in both countries.

McCain asked for a response from Carter within the next two weeks.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-04-06

[Credo]

The US can be overly cautious because Russia isn't.

[craigt3365]

Fighting a force like IS is extremely difficult. Indiscriminately bombing civilians homes hoping to get a few terrorists isn't the way to go. No easy answers here.

[pitrevie]

What a shame McCain didn't want to have the same information from Bush re the war in Afghanistan and the debacle that led to the present situation. Oh I forgot it was his party in control when that happened. Wasn't it McCain who told us that he would not go after Bin Laden in Pakistan, what a wimp to be now lecturing others and demanding answers.

[DeaconJohn]

At least he admitted "...defeat in the Vietnam War."

Most of the old warhawks wouldn't utter the word defeat.

We were just cheated out of victory, that's all.

Interesting to see AP still retailing the bilge about his record as a POW in Vietnam.

Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran.

Stick to that, Johnny.

[Pinot]

Crawl back under your rock, McCain. What a waste of space. Like all Republicans, always wrong about everything. Thank Buddha, there is an adult in the White House.

[craigt3365]

Crawl back under your rock, McCain. What a waste of space. Like all Republicans, always wrong about everything. Thank Buddha, there is an adult in the White House.

I think it's inappropriate to label an entire group like that. Bigotry at it's worst.

P.S. I'm not a republican....

[kamahele]

A man who never met a war he didn't like. You'd think he'd have a more cautious attitude after his own fighting experience.

[Chicog]

This doddery old fool is a walking advert for term limits.

[mrwebb8825]

He just thinks Putin is making us look bad by actually accomplishing something. It's amazing what can be done by people who don't give a rat's behind about being politically correct.

Go Donald.

Hope one item on the top of his to do list will be setting term limits in the senate and in congress.

(you'll note he wrote a letter because he's computer illiterate)

Do we really want 19th century thinking leaders running things in the 21st century?

[dennnis]

McCain with his IS friends

[grumpyoldman]

He just thinks Putin is making us look bad by actually accomplishing something. It's amazing what can be done by people who don't give a rat's behind about being politically correct.

Go Donald.

Hope one item on the top of his to do list will be setting term limits in the senate and in congress.

(you'll note he wrote a letter because he's computer illiterate)

Do we really want 19th century thinking leaders running things in the 21st century?

I'm with you, go Donald he'll go down as the largest loser ever in the GE. Buffoon.

IS is the morphed Al Queda, it's best to let the countries in the region handle these matters, thus Obama's trip to Turkey, better relations with Iran. Syria is a mess, we were backing "Freedom Fighters" against Asaad, whilst Russia was backing Asaad, whilst IS was taking advantage of that fight.

Hopefully McCain has learned regime change is not the answer, nor spending a whole lot of money and lives with U.S. boots on the ground. Taking out Saddam and Ghadafi only opened doors for more radical elements. These are tribal nations whose different factions have been shooting at each other long before the creation of the U.S. as well as the Russian revolution. So now the idea of taking out Asaad, maybe isn't the right answer. yes he has hit squads and gasses his own people, not a splendid guy, but better than ending up with an IS controlled Syria.

For those that want more info on this I recommend "The Rise of ISIS", dry college type read, and you have to wade through a bit of Zionist propaganda, but the facts are relevant and straight.

[chilli42]

I would agree that the US gov has not been forthcoming with any strategy to deal with ISIS in the ME. This is not to say they have or don't have a strategy. Asking the US military what they think they need to do to defeat ISIS is akin to turing the mental hospital over patients. McCain himself offeres no viable alternatives. He Russians have it right. Take the pressure off the Syrian army by bombing the rebel groups to the cease fire table. Then have the Syrian army, Kurds and Iran drive the nails in ISIS's coffin. While supporting them with air strikes and advisors. This seems to be working well so I don't understand what McCains issue is other than the lack of a stated strategy.

[Steely Dan]

There was never any plan to deal with the JV team, the community organizer has been way out of his depth on this. The Russians have done all they are capable of, which is indiscriminate bombing to further their own interests, not tackle ISIS. Fortunately it seem Arab special ops troops are doing what was needed, namely going in on the ground and assassinating ISIS commanders and killing their troops. The U.S could have done this, but it didn't have the will seeing as Obama's natural support base would abhor the idea of the U.S sending in ground troops.

[Scott]

Off-topic post removed.

[pitrevie]

There was never any plan to deal with the JV team, the community organizer has been way out of his depth on this. The Russians have done all they are capable of, which is indiscriminate bombing to further their own interests, not tackle ISIS. Fortunately it seem Arab special ops troops are doing what was needed, namely going in on the ground and assassinating ISIS commanders and killing their troops. The U.S could have done this, but it didn't have the will seeing as Obama's natural support base would abhor the idea of the U.S sending in ground troops.

Do you mean the community organizer who went after Bin Laden in Pakistan against the advice of that expert on the military John McCain?

Obama is not going to repeat the mistake of Vietnam and unify every religious nut job on the planet by launching any full scale invasion.

What a wonderful sight that would be with American body bags arriving back in the USA. If there is one thing these religious nut jobs hate more than they do each other it

is an American uniform.

ISIS leader Baghdadi Will 'Taste Justice': US official

"We are hunting him, and we will find him," military spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said.

"Just like we found his mentor, (Abu Musab) al-Zarqawi and killed him. Just like we found

the grand master of terrorism, Osama bin Laden, we killed him. We are going to find Baghdadi,

and he will taste justice."

Some community organizer.

I suppose we could always carpet bomb them, as suggested by Ted Cruz or surround them and move in and finish them off as suggested by Trump is that what is known as a plan?

[jomcondo]

John is "damaged goods"

the viets tortured him too much

[grumpyoldman]

There was never any plan to deal with the JV team, the community organizer has been way out of his depth on this. The Russians have done all they are capable of, which is indiscriminate bombing to further their own interests, not tackle ISIS. Fortunately it seem Arab special ops troops are doing what was needed, namely going in on the ground and assassinating ISIS commanders and killing their troops. The U.S could have done this, but it didn't have the will seeing as Obama's natural support base would abhor the idea of the U.S sending in ground troops.

Of course, we just lost more American lives than Vietnam and spent billions in Iraq and Afghanistan, I would think even a few right whingers would agree that was all for nothing, why in the world would we follow that strategy again. That was Bush/Cheney, moronville.

BTW- covert is not something that gets thrown over an aging couch. I guess certain "natural support bases" would like to see in print and announce to all the gameplan, but that might not sit so well with the generals in charge.

Clandestine - is that what Colonel Mustard used in the library?

[Pinot]

There was never any plan to deal with the JV team, the community organizer has been way out of his depth on this. The Russians have done all they are capable of, which is indiscriminate bombing to further their own interests, not tackle ISIS. Fortunately it seem Arab special ops troops are doing what was needed, namely going in on the ground and assassinating ISIS commanders and killing their troops. The U.S could have done this, but it didn't have the will seeing as Obama's natural support base would abhor the idea of the U.S sending in ground troops.

Republicans would gin up another war at the drop of a hat if they could.

You're ABSOEFFINGLUTELY right, the natural support base does abhor sending US troops to die in that godforsaken hellhole. Not one more American's life in the middle east. We've done enough damage there for generations to come.

Republicans and their "Let's send in the troops crap." Ye gods.

[dunroaming]

Assad is a bad guy, ISIL are bad guys too. Russia is backing Assad so by default ISIL is being weakened considerably by Russia's military action in Syria. Now the USA could join in and help to strengthen the hand of Assad but then Assad is a bad man so no moral high ground to be found there.

By playing a low key role in the Syrian mess the USA is doing exactly the right thing, the same as most of the other countries involved. There are no winners here, it is far too complicated for that. ISIL is the current Islamist terrorist group but if you take them out then another will replace them and all the ISIL cells throughout the world will simply adopt a new handle.

The middle east has become a breeding and training ground for these terrorist groups thanks to it being destabilised by the illegal war raged by Bush, Blair and the other fools.

[grumpyoldman]

Assad is a bad guy, ISIL are bad guys too. Russia is backing Assad so by default ISIL is being weakened considerably by Russia's military action in Syria. Now the USA could join in and help to strengthen the hand of Assad but then Assad is a bad man so no moral high ground to be found there.

By playing a low key role in the Syrian mess the USA is doing exactly the right thing, the same as most of the other countries involved. There are no winners here, it is far too complicated for that. ISIL is the current Islamist terrorist group but if you take them out then another will replace them and all the ISIL cells throughout the world will simply adopt a new handle.

The middle east has become a breeding and training ground for these terrorist groups thanks to it being destabilised by the illegal war raged by Bush, Blair and the other fools.

Good post dunroaming. To add to it, ISIL gets recruiting worldwide by using the Davd & Goliath strategy. By staying behind the scenes and letting those countries in the region do the battles, the Goliath factor is reduced.

BTW- I'm not a big McCain fan, but his biography is a great read, his Dad and Grandfather were huge WW2 players.

[Chicog]

There was never any plan to deal with the JV team, the community organizer has been way out of his depth on this. The Russians have done all they are capable of, which is indiscriminate bombing to further their own interests, not tackle ISIS. Fortunately it seem Arab special ops troops are doing what was needed, namely going in on the ground and assassinating ISIS commanders and killing their troops. The U.S could have done this, but it didn't have the will seeing as Obama's natural support base would abhor the idea of the U.S sending in ground troops.

Republicans would gin up another war at the drop of a hat if they could.

.... because they make good money out of it.

[craigt3365]

There was never any plan to deal with the JV team, the community organizer has been way out of his depth on this. The Russians have done all they are capable of, which is indiscriminate bombing to further their own interests, not tackle ISIS. Fortunately it seem Arab special ops troops are doing what was needed, namely going in on the ground and assassinating ISIS commanders and killing their troops. The U.S could have done this, but it didn't have the will seeing as Obama's natural support base would abhor the idea of the U.S sending in ground troops.

Republicans would gin up another war at the drop of a hat if they could.

.... because they make good money out of it.

A few perhaps. But not many. There's been strong opposition to any war right now. Thus, America's weak response to a country that's really not strategic to them.

[Steely Dan]

Assad is a bad guy, ISIL are bad guys too. Russia is backing Assad so by default ISIL is being weakened considerably by Russia's military action in Syria. Now the USA could join in and help to strengthen the hand of Assad but then Assad is a bad man so no moral high ground to be found there.

By playing a low key role in the Syrian mess the USA is doing exactly the right thing, the same as most of the other countries involved. There are no winners here, it is far too complicated for that. ISIL is the current Islamist terrorist group but if you take them out then another will replace them and all the ISIL cells throughout the world will simply adopt a new handle.

The middle east has become a breeding and training ground for these terrorist groups thanks to it being destabilised by the illegal war raged by Bush, Blair and the other fools.

Good post dunroaming. To add to it, ISIL gets recruiting worldwide by using the Davd & Goliath strategy. By staying behind the scenes and letting those countries in the region do the battles, the Goliath factor is reduced.

BTW- I'm not a big McCain fan, but his biography is a great read, his Dad and Grandfather were huge WW2 players.

There is an interesting dichotomy here. On the one hand not intervening would undoubtably reduce the 'Goliath factor' as you put it, but on the other Islamist radicals are undoubtedly attracted to join the 'strongest horse', meaning not only were groups like Al-Nusra subsumed into de facto members of Isis but foreign based sympathizers were more likely to join a Caliphate that appeared strong. The non-intervention has obviously caused great loss of life and human misery, more will come seeing as many radicals will have received training and orders from ISIS and not found their passports cancelled, so we will be paying a price for years to come.

I will concede that allowing ISIS to become the dominant player could be part of a brilliant trap, a bit like how flypaper works, namely get all the terrorists in one place then crush them. This is in effect what is happening, though I somehow doubt Obama conceived of it.

[Slickrick]

That person in the white house really don't know what the blank he's doing. How many days and counting.

[Scott]

The US had virtually no business interests in Syria. There has been no relationship between the US and Syria for many, many years, going back to the days of Assad Sr. The Assads have been involved in numerous activities to subterfuge the US at every turn, including producing counterfeit US $100 bills in an attempt to undermine the US economy. They have long aligned themselves with Iran and Russia. The distrust runs deep. The colonial roots of Syria were the Ottomans and later the French.

I worked in Syria and was in regular contact with embassy personnel from a number of embassies. The regime was repressive and, although most of the Syrian's I met were decent people, it was not a particularly easy place for a foreigner to be.

Assad's father burned the bridge that could have connected the country to any meaningful relationship with the West. His son continued with that legacy. The antagonistic relationship dates back to the days of the cold war.

The idea that the proposed pipeline is some US planned dream is, well, nothing more than a pipe dream. The US holds no sway over Syria and never has on this issue. The US also would not benefit from the pipeline. US allies would benefit and the US would support it on the basis of benefiting allies.

There is a strategy of sorts, and it is to largely stay out of Syria. There is nothing much there that is of interest to the US. Even as an oil producer, there are 68 countries ahead of Syria in oil production. As a comparison, Thailand is at 31st and Vietnam at 32nd place. So there is no oil interest on the part of the US, there are no business interests, there are no companies or corporations centered there, so there will be no extensive effort to do anything with or on behalf of Syria as long as Assad is in power.

The war in Syria, like all wars in a region, have the potential to destabilize the region and that is of concern to the US. ISIS is a threat to the US, but it is not an immediate threat, so there is no reason for any quick or impulsive actions.

Russia, on the other hand, has a strong interest in the region. If the proposed pipeline through Syria were to materialize, it could jeopardize the semi-stranglehold that Russia has on energy supplies to Europe. As long as Syria and Russia remain closely aligned, Russia can exercise a great deal of control over any pipeline. All of this, along with the current civil war, are all to the detriment of the ordinary Syrian people. A pipeline would financially benefit Syria so I assume that someone is rewarding Assad well for denying access. The pipeline, by the way could take various route without transecting Syria.

Because little is being done does not mean there isn't a strategy. It is the strategy.

[simple1]

Well said Scott.

It's amazing how many support Assad on this forum when it was Assad who enabled the rise of Islamist terror groups after the violent repression of the Arab Spring demonstrations in an effort to gain support from the West. Assad is known to acquire energy from ISIS thereby assisting with their finances and so on. Assad also facilitated the flow of Islamist 'fighters' into Iraq to kill NATO forces, again for self serving purposes.

Don't know what the future looks like for Syria, but at the very least, IMO, if Assad retains power the region will be destabilised for years to come.

Edited April 6, 2016 by simple1

[craigt3365]

As I posted in another thread, hard to have a good strategy when it's really not a strategic country for the US...and many players are involved. None willing to cooperate with any of the others! LOL A real mess with no easy answers.

[grumpyoldman]

Thank you Scott, one of the better posts on this thread.

Definitely refreshing insight as compared to post just prior, Slickrick's entry of

"That person in the white house really don't know what the blank he's doing. How many days and counting." which all of us could've lived without

"Don't know" - Trump follower English at it's best.

[brling]

Thank Buddha, there is an adult in the White House.

Wrong, threre is a slobbering coward in the White House