Reality
John Kerry introduced some reality into the discussion on Iraq. I’m not referring to the political side, but to the military side of the equation. He let it slip that there isn’t much use in using air power against ISIS if the Iraqis can’t follow up on the ground.
I support air power. I think air power is extremely important on the battlefield, but it doesn’t do any good to drop bombs on the enemy unless there are people on the ground to take advantage of the enemy losses. You have to have troops on the ground to secure and hold territory and the Iraq army doesn’t seem to be capable of taking the offensive.
The basic problems in Iraq are a government that doesn’t represent all the people in the country and an army that won’t fight. Air power can’t do anything about either of those problems.
OTOH, ISIS is on the border of Jordan, and if the king of Jordan needs additional air power, the system works, because he is a US friend and his army will fight.
ISIS is only about 100 kilometers from the Saudi border. If they decide to head south, screw the Saudis – they financed these crazies so they can deal with them on their own.
June 24, 2014 11 Comments
