114 Notes
Airstrikes on IS fighter
president announced wont allow US to be dragged into another war in Iraq
Months earlier IS kidnapped two US born journalist, posted video online of them beheaded
asked US to stop striking, did not stop strike.
IS posted another gruesome video
Obama previous words came up, he claimed it was still different did warrant fighting but not high intensity high risk US awar which would put high number of American force at risk.
Obama claimed
US has eliminated many threats and terrorists
ISIL terrorist organization even tho calls itself IS. Not state, enslave threaten people, not Islamic (religion doesn’t believe in that).
tonight we will strike to stop its advanced (airstrikes) which have protected American personnel
We cannot do for Iraqi’s what they can’t do for themselves.
American will lead broad coalition
Degrade and destroy ISIL
systematic campaigning of airstrikes
working with Iraqi gov (so hit ISIL targets)
hunt down targets in Syria, ISIL, Iraq
Increase support to those on ground (475 members, no combat mission, intel, training equip)
help communities secure control
Call on congress again
TO SUM UP: basically use allies and airstrikes
Then glazed America (who has done this that, etc) hopeful future and leadership
This is a lot like the 2nd phase of Libya intervention, mainly announcing an air war
difference some men would be on ground but only to support
Does not want a repeat of Iraq/Afghanistan
Anti-IS campaign looks like it will last longer than 90 days (which need authorization, they let Obama slide last time)
Was about to continue when Trump went in
Obama made argument alright under AUMF from 9/11
ISIS Al-Queda part of Syria civil war (welcomed and interesting since US used to be against him now not)
Baghdadi drawing in unlikely bedfellows
60 countries participating
intervention still missing a name
October 15th, 2014, the Department o Defense dubbed the anti-IS intervention-Operation Inherent Resolve.
Baghdadi has kicked a hornets nest, so much countries power unified against vro
Behind ISIS sits Baath party from Saddam (they knew military and had experience). Fierce fighters.
other people only got choices: convert or die or flee
Trigger was threat to US trillion dollars work of energy companies invested in Kurdistan