Obama announces airstrike. -Yahoo/AFP
President Obama has authorized air strikes against ISIS in Iraq if civilian populations are under attack. Yahoo/AFP Obama claims that genocide of religious minorities, including Christians, is a possibility in the region. Airstrikes are now authorized if they can break sieges and help civilians. Obama has also authorized humanitarian aid to refugees in the north who had been displaced by ISIS.
My Comment:
Iv'e got mixed feelings one this one. Clearly the situation in Iraq is a genocide. ISIS must be stopped and if anyone ever deserved a Hellfire missile to the face it is them. It's obviously the right thing to do, but will the American public approve? Americans are sick of war and I think this will be unpopular. I'm worried about the costs of the operation and mission creep. Airstrikes won't be enough to defeat ISIS so if Obama is serious about protecting these people he will have to deploy ground troops. I don't want that and I doubt anyone in the United States does either. And, as always, the Pentagon overestimates the power of airstrikes. They help win battles, but can not do so alone.
As for the strikes themselves I wonder if it just going to be drones or if they are actually going to use manned planes? Drones are the economical option but they might not be enough. If they do end up using manned aircraft, what happens if one crashes or gets shot down? What happens if ISIS captures an American pilot? Will this be a limited one off attack or a sustained air campaign? I am sure these questions will be answered in the following days. I'll keep an eye on this story.
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