PostHeaderIcon ISIS/ISIL Strategy

Against my better judgment, I watched the Obamanation’s prime-time performance a few evenings ago. It is not that I am uninterested in the ISIS situation – rather that I don’t care to listen to the words of a consistent/consummate liar. Historically, there is little or no relationship between what the Obamanation says and what he does (or, more likely, what he doesn’t do).

For sure, some of what he said last evening sounded good on the surface, but then, so did “If you like your current insurance, you can keep it. Period. If you like your current doctor, you can keep him. Period.” Most people today would say to that, incorrectly, “the proof is in the pudding”. I say, more correctly, “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”. In any event, it is the actions (or in-actions) to come that matter, not the scripted words intended solely for domestic political consumption.

As to the ISIS situation itself, I find it not nearly as simple as some try to make it. For a number of reasons:

First, our history in Iraq has been a series of bumbles, starting with the most recent invasion (under George W Bush), the removal of Saddam, the failure to insist on an impartial government there, the failure to leave a residual force sufficient to keep order. Why then would we now expect the same bumbling government that made the past bumbles to suddenly become proficient in this matter?

Second, there is NO good guy in this fight, possibly excepting the Kurds. This means that, Kurds excepted, no matter which group we help in Iraq or Syria, we are backing bad guys and will regret it before it is all over. I am especially wary of sending arms (to any but the Kurds) for fear they will be used against us – as ISIS is doing as I write this – as the Taliban does in Afghanistan.

Third, we have NO true allies in the Middle East. NONE! For sure, a few of them, primarily Israel, will take whatever we offer (and then demand even more) but there are none who will rush to our aid when we are in trouble, as a true ally would do. Indeed, it strikes me as absurd that the United States, which is drowning in debt, should be expected to borrow even more to protect nations that are so wealthy that they have trouble figuring out how to spend it all (for example, building palatial hotel complexes and palm tree-shaped islands for palatial mansions).

Fourth, ISIS has NOT mounted an attack on the US homeland and there is little evidence, other that loud-mouthed boasting, that they have any such capacity. For sure, the brutal murders of the American journalists was provocative and maddening for us all but we must remember that the victims here did knowingly place themselves in harm’s way. That surely does not justify what happened to them but their murders do not constitute a direct attack on the United States.

Fifth, no strategy yet proposed does anything to contain or destroy the main enemy of the US – that being the Islamic State of Iran. So long as they are permitted to start trouble wherever and whenever they wish, the terrorism will continue. As well, we have no strategy for handling our “false allies” in the region (such as Saudi Arabia which is an active sponsor of radical Islam).

Sixth, the Obamanation tells us that the terrorists do not represent are not “real” Islam. Are we then to believe they are Buddhists, Methodists or such? Of course they represent “real” Islam and their actions are directly called for in the Koran. Any so called “strategy’ that is based on such unreality is flawed in its very conception.

So, here we are caught between Iraq and a hard place. What are we to do? I am by no means sure because the conflict in question has been going on for over 1,000 years – during which time, Islam has grown by leaps and bounds. I can, however, offer what to me seems a logical approach, obviously subject to adjustment as things become clearer:

First, give assistance to the Kurds, second remove all Americans (and other Westerners?) from the area and then sit by and watch. Since this is primarily Muslims killing Muslims, seems to me we gain either way it goes.

Eventually, ISIS will try to make some attack on the U.S. homeland. Once that occurs, invade Iraq and Syria with overwhelming force and occupy the region long term, with no pretense of any self-government on the part of the losers. Then we drill and pump as fast and as much oil and gas as is physically possible. Much of this oil and gas should then be sold to Eastern and Central Europe at rates that undercut the Russians. This should free the receiving nations from energy blackmail on the part of the Russians while, at the same time, devastating the Russian economy – probably harming that of Iran as well. At such time as the conquered lands have been pumped dry, then give it back to the original owners with our compliments.

In the meantime, stop choosing sides and giving aid in the Middle East (Kurds excepted) and force them to work things out for themselves, recognizing that the likes of Saddam may be required to govern peoples who are still tribal as well as brutal in their behavior. These people will adopt Western European culture and governmental styles if and when THEY are ready – which may well be NEVER. We must accept that and quit trying to remake them in our own image.

In closing, I offer an idea that I am by no means able to support with anything other than a hunch: Might it be that the reason an ISIS “strategy” was so long in coming was that the Obamanation needed time to coordinate with his Islamic allies to find a course that would allow him to play “tough guy” here at home while doing little or nothing to truly cripple the Islamic movement? (A movement that encompasses far more than the Middle East and includes much of Southeast Asia, most of North and Central Africa, parts of Southeast Europe, most of Asia Minor, etc.)

Think about it.

P.S. Sorry this is a bit late but I had to rebuild my computer before I could post it.

Troy L Robinson

3 Responses to “ISIS/ISIL Strategy”

  • Jerry Elkins says:

    Written by Dr. Jack Wheeler

    The O-man, Barack Hussein Obama, is an eloquently tailored empty suit. No resume, no accomplishments, no experience, no original ideas, no understanding of how the economy works, no understanding of how the world works, no balls, nothing but abstract, empty rhetoric devoid of real substance.

    I think. In addition. Everything about him is fake. A lie. He is gay. His (wife) is a man. He is a Radical Islamic Muslim. He is a fraud and should be in chains for treason.

    Eastwood said. “One day the American people will realize Obama is the greatest fraud ever imposed on the American people.” I think that day is here for most, but the dumbest of the dumb citizens.

  • Chris says:

    The number one quotable point: “recognizing that the likes of Saddam may be required to govern peoples who are still tribal as well as brutal in their behavior.”

    And this is the whole crux of the situation. I have said it for years. The west does not understand the culture and even those who do in their arrogance think they can change it.Look at the difficulties immigrants have in the west when coming here. They don’t get it and there is a reason. Take away the petrodollar and leave them to fester in their own litter box. My only concern under that scenario would be Israel. They are good at taking care of themselves but it would be clear that any aggression toward Israel would result in a glass parking lot where the aggressor was. “peace thru strength”. Say it, mean it, and hope a demonstration isn’t necessary. Past that why the hell do we care?

  • Larry says:

    Troy…I think you have done a good job of outlining a reasonable position for us to take. Chris has picked out your phrase that is most reflective of my overall views. I don’t mind a little bombing here and there to keep their attention and to protect the Kurds but it is clear based on our previous efforts that we have no way to resolve the tribal and religious conflict so let em at it.

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