Massive air strikes on ISIS

[DougB]

Your thoughts?

[chachacha]

most posters must know that i am not a fan of President Obama, but in this case i believe he is doing the right thing, albeit better late than never...we have a muslim coalition of five arab nations which will help the world to see that even other muslims are against the radical idealogy of ISIS. this will be a longterm war. consider that Spain struggled for 800 years to defeat the caliphate that took over granada and half their country! ironically, that victory gave isabel and ferdinand the extra funds to back Christopher Columbus in his voyages which ultimately led to US :) the absence of Turkey in the coalition is troublesome, however.

[kittygilchrist]

Relief. Weight off my shoulders. This is an answer to fervent intense prayer in addition to useless yelling at the television for people to wake up.
God bless Fox news for blasting a trumpet.

When you see how other countries live in the constant, real threat of hate and terrorism, you want to not have it in the USA?
Example...every Friday afternoon, when Shabbat begins in Jerusalem, squads of police don riot gear to control Muslim violence against Jews coming to pray in the old city at the wall.

[rubicon]

The problem with all of the wars or whatever you care to label them since Korea have been compromised because of the interference of politicians and lawyers. It has been a continual progression and today the politicization driven by the upcoming elections and the over emphasis of applying laws.
I agree with the Geneva Convention, etc but if you look closely at what politicians and lawyers are doing its clear they are putting soldiers in harms way. Let the generals fight wars.

So as to this latest offense I believe that it will be redirected and compromised by politicians and lawyers wasting unneeded life and resources. Too many people do not acknowledge that there are limits to nature and that wars are ugly and they have unintended consequences but if you are not intent to win them at all costs then you are doomed to fail.

[janmcn]

Getting five Arab nations partnering on the airstrikes against ISSL is historic.

[Irishmen]

Getting five Arab nations partnering on the airstrikes against ISSL is historic.

Operational cooperation only. Another words, they allow us to take off and land from our own bases within their countries. They are not dropping bombs. Big difference.

[kittygilchrist]

Getting five Arab nations partnering on the airstrikes against ISSL is historic.

Arab-Israeli conflict - Basic facts (http://www.science.co.il/Arab-Israeli-conflict.asp)

In my view, the ultimate and spoken prize of jihad is to obliterate Israel and the Jews.
...grateful for the Arab nations partnering in opposition to barbarism...Delaying attack on Israel.

[shcisamax]

Operational cooperation only. Another words, they allow us to take off and land from our own bases within their countries. They are not dropping bombs. Big difference.

It was just noted on CNN by a The Pentagon Press Secretary that not only were our targets successful but those of the allies were also..I thought he was referring to the Arab allies because he had just referred to them earlier.

I wonder if they are actually actively engaging or just "allowing us to take off and land".

[graciegirl]

If ONLY we could know the real truth and not the spin from the news editors of the pick a direction leaning major news stations. The facts are what I want please.

For a long time earlier this year any military activity in the east was against " militants". Not any other word. Who directs that kind if incomplete information? Is it from the White House??

[Rags123]

Getting five Arab nations partnering on the airstrikes against ISSL is historic.


In actuality, 4 of the 5 you reference have been begging the USA to get involved for about 3 years !!!

A small example from last year...

"In comments to European diplomats last weekend, Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief Prince Bandar bin Sultan confirmed that his country’s decision last Friday not to accept a temporary seat on the UN Security Council was “a message for the US, not the UN.”

Having collaborated closely in the US-led war for regime change in Syria, Saudi Arabia reacted angrily to the Obama administration’s decision to pull back from an imminent missile and air attack on Syria last month. It also has concerns over Washington’s involvement in international talks with Iran, which Riyadh regards as its chief rival in the region."

http://www.globalresearch.ca/saudi-officials-vent-anger-over-us-failure-to-attack-syria/5355525

They would have a hard time saying no to any coalition in that area !!! If you have been reading any of the international media for the last two to three years, the frustration of not getting help has caused a bit of angst in the area.

This is some of the most encouraging news on this specific front....

"Two countries that have very strained relationships with the United States are considering joining the fight against the Islamic State group. Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Security Council Sunday night that he would consider working with international partners and the Iranian government said it is ready to collaborate with the U.S. to fight the Sunni militant group, in exchange for breathing room on their uranium enrichment program, Reuters reported."

http://www.ibtimes.com/russia-iran-considering-joining-coalition-fight-isis-1692762

[2BNTV]

There will never be peace, in the middle east. IMHO

[Rags123]

If ONLY we could know the real truth and not the spin from the news editors of the pick a direction leaning major news stations. The facts are what I want please.

For a long time earlier this year any military activity in the east was against " militants". Not any other word. Who directs that kind if incomplete information? Is it from the White House??

The attacks were actually only on ISIS locations in the area that they have sort of taken as their capital. Hard targets, meaning buildings, equipment etc.

Did hear, and have not seen any confirmation, that the military made a strike on another group in Syria which halted an imminent attack on the USA.

[Irishmen]

NBC Pentagon guy just said by giving notice to ISIS , they took all they're flags and markings and moved equipment into urban areas. Basically said we were just throwing missiles into the sand. No ISIS leadership were targeted.

[nitehawk]

Your thoughts?

and what are your thoughts ????

[Rags123]

NBC Pentagon guy just said by giving notice to ISIS , they took all they're flags and markings and moved equipment into urban areas. Basically said we were just throwing missiles into the sand. No ISIS leadership were targeted.

I am not sure of the point of this post. Anyone expecting BODIES from this bombing will be dissapointed.

These attacks were utilitarian but also symbolic in a big way. The coalition DID KNOW that scattering had taken place when the bombing began in Iraq and that further would follow. The mission was HARD targets....buildings infrastructures, etc.

Wish folks who quote others would follow the rules and give links or some sort of accreditation so we can see things in context.

"Citing the ongoing operations, Kirby said the Pentagon would not provide additional details immediately. But a U.S. military official said the strikes are meant to target the ability of ISIS to command and control, resupply and train."

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/22/world/meast/u-s-airstrikes-isis-syria/

[blueash]

This will be the greatest recruiting tool for ISIS they could imagine. Getting the US to drop bombs on them, which will taking out a few people, a few buildings, a few supplies is not going to scare them. But the propaganda value of the new videos, and tweets, and recruitment speeches will be huge. Get ready for an enormous increase in support for radicals by people who were formerly on the fence. Having your enemy attack you has been one of the best ways to create support for your side. Remember the Maine, Gulf of Tonkin, Pearl Harbor. When America believes it has been attacked we rally and doves become hawks. It will be no different in Islamic families. If we are seen as attacking there are many who will join to fight us who would not have felt compelled to fight in the absence of our military actions. So ISIS has succeeded by beheading 3 westerners in goading us into billions more spent, likely hundreds or thousands more deaths to fight an enemy we cannot defeat as it is not a nation but an idea. Until the local communities and people are willing to fight this idea themselves, and fight as hard as ISIS our opinion will not change the long term outcome. As in Vietnam the world's greatest military couldn't stop a rag tag outfit because the people who lived there didn't care to fight hard enough to stop Ho.

What is our exit strategy in this war against ISIS? When every Muslim who hates America is dead? Are you assuming that we are not creating more radicals than we are killing? When we take the war to them does that not make it more likely, not less likely, that they are going to take the war to us? Have the people of Gaza become less radical and less supportive of Hamas after repeatedly being subjected to Israeli responses to radical actions by Hamas's most militant fringes? Do Israelis become more considerate of Palestinian grievances when missiles are aimed at them or are they hardened in their resolve for revenge? So rather than cheer that we have done something, ask what have we accomplished and what shall we reap. I hope I am wrong.

[graciegirl]

This will be the greatest recruiting tool for ISIS they could imagine. Getting the US to drop bombs on them, which will taking out a few people, a few buildings, a few supplies is not going to scare them. But the propaganda value of the new videos, and tweets, and recruitment speeches will be huge. Get ready for an enormous increase in support for radicals by people who were formerly on the fence. Having your enemy attack you has been one of the best ways to create support for your side. Remember the Maine, Gulf of Tonkin, Pearl Harbor. When America believes it has been attacked we rally and doves become hawks. It will be no different in Islamic families. If we are seen as attacking there are many who will join to fight us who would not have felt compelled to fight in the absence of our military actions. So ISIS has succeeded by beheading 3 westerners in goading us into billions more spent, likely hundreds or thousands more deaths to fight an enemy we cannot defeat as it is not a nation but an idea. Until the local communities and people are willing to fight this idea themselves, and fight as hard as ISIS our opinion will not change the long term outcome. As in Vietnam the world's greatest military couldn't stop a rag tag outfit because the people who lived there didn't care to fight hard enough to stop Ho.

What is our exit strategy in this war against ISIS? When every Muslim who hates America is dead? Are you assuming that we are not creating more radicals than we are killing? When we take the war to them does that not make it more likely, not less likely, that they are going to take the war to us? Have the people of Gaza become less radical and less supportive of Hamas after repeatedly being subjected to Israeli responses to radical actions by Hamas's most militant fringes? Do Israelis become more considerate of Palestinian grievances when missiles are aimed at them or are they hardened in their resolve for revenge? So rather than cheer that we have done something, ask what have we accomplished and what shall we reap. I hope I am wrong.


What would YOU do?

[shcisamax]

The US was the ONLY western country involved. The five arab countries who ACTIVELY participated were UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia. This will cause those on the fence to think twice about which side of the fence they want to be on.

I would like to see some bodies though in addition to buildings and training camps. I fear this may just drive them deeper. They certainly had notice we were coming.

[redwitch]

I think this is something that needed to be done. At the same time, it scares the heck out of me. Every time we weaken one extremist group, another, far worse group takes its place. We've gone from the Taliban to al Queda to ISIL, each more strident and violent. Not sure what could be worse than ISIL, but I'm sure there is something.

One thing we really need to do is to help educate the people in the Middel East. If they could actually read the Koran rather than have just parts fed to them, it might stop a lot of the jihadists. The Koran celebrates the books of David, Moses, Abraham. The people being taught to hate need to know this. It is not a book of hate and revenge.

So, along with our iron fist, I firmly believe we need the velvet glove to bring these people into today's world.

[Choppy12]

This could be over in two weeks. Air alone is a joke. Go in with ground troops supported by air and wipe them out. Every time we do something we do not get the job done because of politics. We better wake up and put our full military force behind this and the politicians need to just get out of the way. This thing will last forever if we let the politicians run it. Two weeks that's all it would take. We need no one to help us either.

[sunnyatlast]

This will be the greatest recruiting tool for ISIS they could imagine. Getting the US to drop bombs on them, which will taking out a few people, a few buildings, a few supplies is not going to scare them. But the propaganda value of the new videos, and tweets, and recruitment speeches will be huge. Get ready for an enormous increase in support for radicals by people who were formerly on the fence. Having your enemy attack you has been one of the best ways to create support for your side. Remember the Maine, Gulf of Tonkin, Pearl Harbor. When America believes it has been attacked we rally and doves become hawks. It will be no different in Islamic families. If we are seen as attacking there are many who will join to fight us who would not have felt compelled to fight in the absence of our military actions. So ISIS has succeeded by beheading 3 westerners in goading us into billions more spent, likely hundreds or thousands more deaths to fight an enemy we cannot defeat as it is not a nation but an idea. Until the local communities and people are willing to fight this idea themselves, and fight as hard as ISIS our opinion will not change the long term outcome. As in Vietnam the world's greatest military couldn't stop a rag tag outfit because the people who lived there didn't care to fight hard enough to stop Ho.

This is like saying we caused the town drunk to die because one of us opened a liquor store near his favorite gutter and he bought too much there.

Regarding "..they would not have FELT compelled to fight in absence of our military actions"??? So now we're analyzing the feelings of borderline savages with a stomach for joining up with beheading, crucifying butchers and rapists?

More enabling crap.....

[graciegirl]

This will be the greatest recruiting tool for ISIS they could imagine. Getting the US to drop bombs on them, which will taking out a few people, a few buildings, a few supplies is not going to scare them. But the propaganda value of the new videos, and tweets, and recruitment speeches will be huge. Get ready for an enormous increase in support for radicals by people who were formerly on the fence. Having your enemy attack you has been one of the best ways to create support for your side. Remember the Maine, Gulf of Tonkin, Pearl Harbor. When America believes it has been attacked we rally and doves become hawks. It will be no different in Islamic families. If we are seen as attacking there are many who will join to fight us who would not have felt compelled to fight in the absence of our military actions. So ISIS has succeeded by beheading 3 westerners in goading us into billions more spent, likely hundreds or thousands more deaths to fight an enemy we cannot defeat as it is not a nation but an idea. Until the local communities and people are willing to fight this idea themselves, and fight as hard as ISIS our opinion will not change the long term outcome. As in Vietnam the world's greatest military couldn't stop a rag tag outfit because the people who lived there didn't care to fight hard enough to stop Ho.

What is our exit strategy in this war against ISIS? When every Muslim who hates America is dead? Are you assuming that we are not creating more radicals than we are killing? When we take the war to them does that not make it more likely, not less likely, that they are going to take the war to us? Have the people of Gaza become less radical and less supportive of Hamas after repeatedly being subjected to Israeli responses to radical actions by Hamas's most militant fringes? Do Israelis become more considerate of Palestinian grievances when missiles are aimed at them or are they hardened in their resolve for revenge? So rather than cheer that we have done something, ask what have we accomplished and what shall we reap. I hope I am wrong.

I ask again. What do you think would be the best way to handle this?

[karostay]

Your thoughts?

Nuclear works for me

[karostay]

One thing has always puzzled me is to why we as a nation have to do the middle East's dirty work. Arab nations just site in the back ground and watch

[Cajulian]

One thing has always puzzled me is to why we as a nation have to do the middle East's dirty work. Arab nations just site in the back ground and watch

Actually, it's not just their dirty work we are fighting for. I would much rather see us fight in their countries versus our own. We already are showing many signs of their ideology infiltrating the U.S. and starting to perform isolated acts of terrorism in our own States. They in turn disrupt, energy supplies in the world and effect many economies.

When a militant group openly states they want to attack other countries and ideologies (specifically us), then it's time to take a stand. On their soil, not ours.

I'm an old Vietnam era vet. If I was young and able, I would very much want to stop the spread of this idiotic mentality that they want to perpetuate on everyone in their barbaric brutal ways. You can't schmooz with these people to create a friendly relationship. Even the Pope recognizes this!!

[Bobcuse]

This could be over in two weeks. Air alone is a joke. Go in with ground troops supported by air and wipe them out. Every time we do something we do not get the job done because of politics. We better wake up and put our full military force behind this and the politicians need to just get out of the way. This thing will last forever if we let the politicians run it. Two weeks that's all it would take. We need no one to help us either.

Every retired military commander interviewed on any network has said that air strikes are used to support ground troops which are required to go door to door to root out these terrorists who hide in civilian neighborhoods and with children. Actually I cannot recall anyone saying that air strikes will do anything significant unless used to support ground troops. NBC interrupts programming with this breaking news of air strikes in an apparent attempt to make us think this will solve the ISIS problem? We should agree to send some ground troops only if our coalition partners commit to participating with significant ground troops. But if they participate, it should be a blitz similar to the surge which effectively ended the war. Otherwise this will drag on for years. Decisions are too political today and ergo ineffective on all levels.

[TexaninVA]

Your thoughts?

My overall thought is this again proves an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. ISIS exists because a top level, calculated decision was made to pull all US troops from Iraq in 2011. Excuses were made as to why but basically the decision makers wanted out – long terms consequences be da**ed.

The saddest thing in watching the latest round of strikes is that you can tell it’s not really serious from a strategic perspective. The word ‘war’ is not allowed (which means we are not serious), Congress has not declared war, and the expectation is someone else will do the heavy lifting … ie ground troops. It makes people feel good for now to see dramatic TV shots of missiles being launched and such. However, until we are truly willing to wipe ISIS off the map, in the manner we totally destroyed the Nazi and Japanese war machines, this is just a problem deferred for our kids and grandkids. Yes, I know it’s a different enemy, but with the right leadership and will to succeed, it can be done.

In a sentence, this round of airstrikes / flash-bang is being “led” (if that’s the word) by the call of a very uncertain trumpet.

[kittygilchrist]

I join oliver North, the secy of defense and chmn of joint chiefs of staff....

Too little too late is better than nothing. The ball is rolling internationally, and who knew the usa still had the guts to stand up to evil and that anybody would follow our lead?

It has been painfully tough to watch the bumbling indecisive denials, but a few people in the usa have still got some sense. So I am having a good day.

[karostay]

If we would have just stayed out of their sand box
They would be content on just killing each other.
Revenge on our soil is the catalyst here
It's all about OIL OIL OIL

[sunnyatlast]

If we would have just stayed out of their sand box
They would be content on just killing each other.
Revenge on our soil is the catalyst here
It's all about OIL OIL OIL

Maybe, but not in the usual sense. ISIS wants/needs the oil fields to fund themselves and their reign of terror/caliphate.

And I don't know how our military or any of us would run without oil.

[TexaninVA]

If we would have just stayed out of their sand box
They would be content on just killing each other.
Revenge on our soil is the catalyst here
It's all about OIL OIL OIL

Well, maybe ... but any modern economy does run on oil. Another way of saying that is ... oil means wealth which means jobs which means prosperity for most if not all of us.

Why did we not have enough sense to let American's drill and attain self sufficiency in our country years ago? Too late now and another topic ...

But in the meantime, ISIS needs to be destroyed not just irritated

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

If we would have just stayed out of their sand box
They would be content on just killing each other.
Revenge on our soil is the catalyst here
It's all about OIL OIL OIL

I don't understand why some people keep insisting that this is about oil. The fact is that we get less than 13% of our oil from the Middle East. if was all about oil, we'd be attacking Canada.

[kittygilchrist]

I don't understand why some people keep insisting that this is about oil. The fact is that we get less than 13% of our oil from the Middle East. if was all about oil, we'd be attacking Canada.

:agree:

[blueash]

Gracie, I don't know what to do, but my fall back position is not that the solution is obviously to bomb a few buildings and create a huge propaganda windfall for ISIS. They wanted this to happen and it has. But no I don't have an answer to religious terrorism, or any other terrorism. I just fear we are playing into their wildest dreams.

[TexaninVA]

I don't understand why some people keep insisting that this is about oil. The fact is that we get less than 13% of our oil from the Middle East. if was all about oil, we'd be attacking Canada.

Actually, since oil is a fungible product to the extent there are shortages anywhere, the market would correct itself through price increases. For example, if ISIS takes out a major refinery in Saudi Arabia, the impact (depending on level of success of attack) could be significant enough for any of us to see at the pump.

Regarding the seeming guilt espoused in the post regarding it's all about oil etc, I'm always amused when I hear someone say 'no blood for oil' because it's such an inane way to look at it IMHO. (note: I'm not saying the poster said that ... it just made me think of the common street demonstration chant)

[billethkid]

WE MISSED THE BOAT (AGAIN!!) by not attacking them when they were riding in open columns through Iraq pillaging and plundering and murdering in the open.

So now after many weeks of watching US television and watching the circus of to bomb or not to bomb....all the whille continuing with the murderous onslaught....knowing nobody eas going to intervene.

Then more weeks of watching our television and the grand announcement that we have decide to come after them. Allowing all kinds of time for them to re-deploy and hide among the innocents.

They can even watch our television now to see what damage has been done with our blow by blow reporting. All we haven't done so far is send them an official schedule of when we are coming, next.

This is not how wars are fought and WON!!!!

The commander and chief gives the order and then lets the military LEADERS do their job......without the day by day, blow by blow media and political circus.

Lets just wait and see how much advanced notice and PR we get from ISIS or ISIL or whatever the latest letters , before they do a major attack on us here. RIGHT!!! Like all other terrorist attacks we will all find out when the blood is running in our streets.

Winning is EASY......as the sports folks say....JUST DO IT!!!

[kittygilchrist]

WE MISSED THE BOAT (AGAIN!!) by not attacking them when they were riding in open columns through Iraq pillaging and plundering and murdering in the open.

So now after many weeks of watching US television and watching the circus of to bomb or not to bomb....all the whille continuing with the murderous onslaught....knowing nobody eas going to intervene.

Then more weeks of watching our television and the grand announcement that we have decide to come after them. Allowing all kinds of time for them to re-deploy and hide among the innocents.

They can even watch our television now to see what damage has been done with our blow by blow reporting. All we haven't done so far is send them an official schedule of when we are coming, next.

This is not how wars are fought and WON!!!!

The commander and chief gives the order and then lets the military LEADERS do their job......without the day by day, blow by blow media and political circus.

Lets just wait and see how much advanced notice and PR we get from ISIS or ISIL or whatever the latest letters , before they do a major attack on us here. RIGHT!!! Like all other terrorist attacks we will all find out when the blood is running in our streets.

Winning is EASY......as the sports folks say....JUST DO IT!!!

Thank you for your passion and intolerance 4 stupid.

[TexaninVA]

WE MISSED THE BOAT (AGAIN!!) by not attacking them when they were riding in open columns through Iraq pillaging and plundering and murdering in the open.

So now after many weeks of watching US television and watching the circus of to bomb or not to bomb....all the whille continuing with the murderous onslaught....knowing nobody eas going to intervene.

Then more weeks of watching our television and the grand announcement that we have decide to come after them. Allowing all kinds of time for them to re-deploy and hide among the innocents.

They can even watch our television now to see what damage has been done with our blow by blow reporting. All we haven't done so far is send them an official schedule of when we are coming, next.

This is not how wars are fought and WON!!!!

The commander and chief gives the order and then lets the military LEADERS do their job......without the day by day, blow by blow media and political circus.

Lets just wait and see how much advanced notice and PR we get from ISIS or ISIL or whatever the latest letters , before they do a major attack on us here. RIGHT!!! Like all other terrorist attacks we will all find out when the blood is running in our streets.

Winning is EASY......as the sports folks say....JUST DO IT!!!

I fully agree. It's sad to watch how this is being fought. We are clearly not serious and this whole operation is ineptitude in action.

[kittygilchrist]

I fully agree. It's sad to watch how this is being fought. We are clearly not serious and this whole operation is ineptitude in action.

Sadly, we compare to a day on the course..so this is a good day.