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Kerry says 'all bases covered' in coalition bid to crush IS

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deadbeatles: Let's see how long it takes him to get that foot out of his mouth!

Politicians are very flexible. He'll have it someone else's mouth before you know it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wag_the_Dog

Wag the Dog is a 1997 black comedy film ... stars Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro ...

(Plot) Just days before a presidential election, a Washington, D.C. spin doctor (De Niro) distracts the electorate from a sex scandal by hiring a Hollywood film producer (Hoffman) to construct a fake war with Albania.

The film was released one month before the outbreak of the Lewinsky scandal and the subsequent bombing of the Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory in Sudan by the Clinton Administration.[3]

0 ( +3 / -3 )

" Success looks like an ISIL that no longer threatens our friends in the region, no longer threatens the United States,” he said, using an alternative acronym for the Islamic State, which has declared a “caliphate” straddling Syria and Iraq. "

Oh, behold the weasel words! And I notice how the Obama administration studiously avoids using the more commo name "ISIS", because that includes "Syria"... where the ISIS headquarters is and where this disaster started, and where Obama is now going to bomb ISIS while at the same time supplying it with weapons.

Lets wait for the euphemisism they will use to describe that insanity.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

That sounds ominously smug, like mini-Bush's "job done" gaffe.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

We have been hearing words to that effect for over two decades. This is invariably followed by mass killings. The result is the Middle East only gets worse. ISIS is the byproduct of essentially US initiated slaughters. One more slaughter is coming up. Then the blowback.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

I can see why there's reluctance to put boots on the ground. That's been done time and again, and leads to a drawn out conflict. A more decisive method is needed for dealing with these butchers. Co-ordinated strategic air strikes, then send in the ground forces to mop up the remainder. That's a tried and tested method and likely to produce better results. As long as the allies actually take steps to try and minimize collateral damage, this tactic shouldn't receive any opposition, while appeasing those who say that not enough is being done. ISIS (Or ISIL) is only beheading their hostages because they are backed into a corner. Time was when hostages were used as bargaining chips. Except, the US has a policy of not negotiating with terrorists, hence this last ditch act of desperation. It won't work. Politicians and military leaders have been saying for centuries that sometimes the few need to be sacrificed for the benefit of many. Something similar was even used in Star Trek "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." There's no guarantee that these hostages would even be released alive if we kowtowed to their demands anyway. The important thing is not letting their deaths be in vain. That would be insulting to the victims.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

“An ISIL that can’t accumulate followers, or threaten Muslims in Syria, Iran, Iraq, or otherwise. And that’s exactly what success looks like.”

Well Secretary Kerry, ISIS has nearly tripled in size according to the latest estimates. It seems that Obama's nonsensical strategy has failed in record time.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

These sound like famous last words.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The children and grandchildren of all corporate leaders who will profit greatly from more arms and war related sales and those of all the politicians and pundits calling for a battle should be suited up and sent to fight on the front lines. Only then would the US stop creating the problems it is always eager to "solve" through more destruction and more weapons sales. .

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Well Secretary Kerry, ISIS has nearly tripled in size according to the latest estimates. It seems that Obama's nonsensical strategy has failed in record time.

Why do you blame Obama again? The rise of ISIS has been well predicted since Sadaam (Sunni) Hussein was executed. Did you know that Obama inherited this from W? Obama has a strategy: DDST

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Well Secretary Kerry, ISIS has nearly tripled in size according to the latest estimates. It seems that Obama's nonsensical strategy has failed in record time.

If Obama will get this coalition together will be nothing short of a miracle. NO Arabs will jump on board, especially the Saudis who have a serious investment in stopping ISIS because they are the embodiment of what Sharia really is and to them, the Saudis don't even practice the purest form of Sharia, so for ISIS the Saudis are like a slap in the face, which would make them the enemy. And that worries them. Egypt, they need to deal with the Muslim Brotherhood and Jordan with their refugee problems, Turkey NO way. Once again, this president is showing that he's inept and NOT up for the job and for Kerry to give assurances just shows you how out of touch these people are with reality. 2 more years.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

'Obama’s intent to “degrade and ultimately destroy” IS drew a skeptical response in Washington, with critics noting that even al-Qaida has not been eradicated, despite a 13-year US-led war against it.'

There are some sane people left around who don't buy a Hollywood ending to this. The right wing are already getting aroused at the prospect of seeing the mighty US military machine in action. Bulls and horns, retribution raining from the skies, US soldiers ROCK etc. Here we go again...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

“Success looks like an ISIL that no longer threatens our friends in the region, no longer threatens the United States,” he said, using an alternative acronym for the Islamic State, which has declared a “caliphate” straddling Syria and Iraq.

in WWII, victory was beating then enemy period. Now we have this sort of "desired end state" sort of statements that helps us define what "is" means (to borrow a phrase). I think it is time to drop the PC and call things as they are. Not go off and kill them all and let God sort them out, but to just deal with them as they deal with others. They behead a journalst, then start treating them the same way. Show them no mercy like they don't show no others. But what we have now is focus groups on the side who are somehow "offended" if we say we will cover our bullets in pig oil and when you get shot you will not enter heaven, or say that we will rub their bodies with pig oil (stuff that came out from the infamous Abu Gharab so called torture). Yet those same groups will not get upset when their side lobs off a few heads on the internet.

I would have a lot more respect for Obama if he just said, ISIS, you're going to be dead soon and those who follow will also. Here's a hint, we don't say words like that, and they still do the bad things to people and don't follow civil rules, so why should we?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Wolfpack: It seems that Obama's nonsensical strategy has failed in record time.

But didn't you support Obama going after Assad early on, which would have played right into the hands of ISIS?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Fox Sora Winters:

“ ISIS (Or ISIL) is only beheading their hostages because they are backed into a corner. „

Backed into a corner??? They are on a roll. They have a de-facto state, they have massive funds (thanks to the plundered bank of Mosul, oil wells, and support from Gulf States, as well from the US via support for Syrian rebels), and Western jihadi converts are flocking to help them. What „corner“ are you talking about?

globalwatcher:

“ Why do you blame Obama again? The rise of ISIS has been well predicted since Sadaam (Sunni) Hussein was executed. Did you know that Obama inherited this from W? Obama has a strategy: „

No. ISIS is primarily a product of Syria (remember, their capitol is Raqqa in Syria), it was Obamas decision to aid the Syrian jihadis to try and oust Assad. Nobody forced him to do that, least of all GWB.

This obsession with GWB is really getting ridiculous. Obama has been in charge for 7 years, and it is HIS support for Sunni jihadis which is now coming back to bite us.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

It is "the West's" obsession with meddling in the Middle East that created this. Saddam and co kept these people in check but since toppling him and supporting other "Arab Spring" regime changes as well as trying to oust Assad this is what we have a s a result. so now we try to build a coalition with those dictatorships that are left and which anyway support the jihadids financially (and probably morally). Only way ids to leave them to sort it out. once Saudi and Qatar and other local dictatorships feel their own grip on power under threat will they act decisively. before that having the US leading this "coalition" just allows them to carry on playing both sides of the argument.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Kerry is a joke. If he really thinks all of these other staunch Sunni regimes are going to be seen to be siding with Shia or other sects he is delusional. Only time they will actually do anything is when they themselves are under threat (not the case right now). The Saudi offer of training facilites is laughable. and as soon as they try and put US or other western trainers in Saudi again they will just stoke more resentment amongst the Saudi Loonies.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Are the Chinese on board?

Moderator: You continued to be obsessed with the Chinese on threads about the IS. Please do not bring this up gain.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'll huff..and I'll puff..and blow you ISIL away!!!!

I just saw the video on the news of the English aid worker and the "be-header".

What a joke. Who would kneel like that emotionless waiting to die. Everyone would fight for their life or die trying. It's not like the IS is the mafia and can threaten your family! This is all a scam and all you who believe it are fools. Use your common sense please and stop listening to the talking heads who are narrating it for you.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Why do you blame Obama again? The rise of ISIS has been well predicted since Sadaam (Sunni) Hussein was executed. Did you know that Obama inherited this from W? Obama has a strategy: DDST

What?? It was Obama that allowed ISIS to flourish, even after he was told by his military advisors for over 2 years that this was a potential threat and what did he do? Nothing, as usual. And what is exactly Obama's strategy? Seems like No one really knows, including Obama.

@williB

No. ISIS is primarily a product of Syria (remember, their capitol is Raqqa in Syria), it was Obamas decision to aid the Syrian jihadis to try and oust Assad. Nobody forced him to do that, least of all GWB.

Exactly.

This obsession with GWB is really getting ridiculous. Obama has been in charge for 7 years, and it is HIS support for Sunni jihadis which is now coming back to bite us.

Because that is the only thing the left can do is blame Bush, other than that, they really have nothing else or no one else to shove the problems elsewhere. Blaming Bush is so much easier than to Scrutinize Obama. This is all Obama's creation, let him wallow in his world, the world where he thought taking America out of the picture would create peace and calm and in fact, it's been quite the opposite.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

The children and grandchildren of all corporate leaders who will profit greatly from more arms and war related sales and those of all the politicians and pundits calling for a battle should be suited up and sent to fight on the front lines.

Obama must have stock in bomb factories held in trust for his daughters. He is the one calling for war and sending the fighter jets out on their bombing runs.

Why do you blame Obama again?

Because his policies have been used as a recruiting tool by the Islamo-facist jihadi's. Obama's own advisors consider ISIS is considered a greater threat than Al Qaeda.

If Obama will get this coalition together will be nothing short of a miracle. NO Arabs will jump on board,

Obama should call it 'the coalition of the unwilling'.

The right wing are already getting aroused at the prospect of seeing the mighty US military machine in action. Bulls and horns, retribution raining from the skies, US soldiers ROCK etc. Here we go again...

So you think Obama is a right winger? He is the one ordering the bombs to drop not McCain.

But didn't you support Obama going after Assad early on, which would have played right into the hands of ISIS?

Not until Obama drew his Red Line in the sand. That put America's credibility at stake. Once he failed to follow through that signaled to the ISIS types out there that the US will not be a major obstacle to them. Obama has let things spiral out of control and he is now using halfway measures to settle down the chaos. Jihad recruitment is going like gangbusters now.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I wonder if any reporter will dare to ask Kerry, "How is this different from Vietnam War?"

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I wonder if any reporter will dare to ask Kerry, "How is this different from Vietnam War?"

Kerry would probably say that this war is being started by a Democrat and the Vietnam War was started by.... never mind.

I'm still waiting for the explanation for the Libyan War. That place is in chaos and Kerry acts like he never heard of the place. Obama broke it - and it's stayed broke. Obama broke Iraq, and it has stayed broke. Now he is going to insert himself into the Syrian civil war. I'm guessing he will leave it a broken mess just like Libya.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

SuperLib: But didn't you support Obama going after Assad early on, which would have played right into the hands of ISIS?

Wolfpack: Not until Obama drew his Red Line in the sand.

Nah. Obama made his red line quote in August 2012. In Feb 2012 you said, "Will President Obama continue to stand by while Syrian's are slaughtered? Well of course he will." In May 2012 you said, "You can't win if you don't get in the fight. How much longer is President Obama going to wait and watch Syrians be slaughtered." In Aug 2012 you continued with the "slaughter" theme with "The US is not helping Syria. Hillary is just sitting around watching the slaughter."

My guess is that you don't really know what your position is/was in Syria except for "criticize Obama." Fast forward to 2014 and suddenly you're telling the world that it was Obama's support for the rebels that got us here. You just kind of make things up as you go along then have no idea what you said before.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

My guess is that you don't really know what your position is/was in Syria except for "criticize Obama." Fast forward to 2014 and suddenly you're telling the world that it was Obama's support for the rebels that got us here. You just kind of make things up as you go along then have no idea what you said before.

At this point, no one knows what to believe when Obama opens his mouth. One moment, he's talking about long term bombing campaign (war) no boots on the ground, but there are boots on the ground (war) ISIS is NOT an Islamic group, huh? Excuse me? He won't say Jihadist, radical Islamists, terrorists, he will make a coalition, but nothing. He's all over the place,dithering here and there and no one trusts him, NOT the Europeans, the Saudis, the Egyptians, theTurks and everyone else in between, both Bush's could muster and impressive coaolition, Obama=0 That's embarrassing and pathetic. No one is making anything up, it is what it is with this guy. It's anyone's guess.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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