An Intensified Approach to Combating the Islamic State by Michele Flournoy and Richard Fontaine, Center for a New American Security Policy Brief
CNAS CEO Michèle Flournoy and President Richard Fontaine have authored a new policy brief arguing that “current efforts to counter ISIS are not adequate to the task” and that American efforts thus far “convey a sense of creeping incrementalism. The authors make 11 recommendations for actions the United States and its partners should take to make their efforts to counter and ultimately destroy the Islamic State more effective.
Comments
First: The general and overall guidance provided by von Clausewitz: "the first, the supreme, the most far-reaching act of judgment that the statesman and commander have to make is to establish ... the kind of war on which they are embarking; neither mistaking it for, nor trying to turn it into, something that is alien to its true nature. This is the first of all strategic questions and the most comprehensive."
Next: The previous era: That of the Cold War; wherein, a strategy of containment of the former Soviet Union and its way of life, its way of governance, etc., reigned, and where the then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Omar Bradley would suggest that Vietnam was:
"the wrong war, at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and with the wrong enemy."
Now: To the present era, that of the post-Cold War; wherein, a strategy of expansion -- of our way of life, our way of governance, etc., -- reigns, and where, accordingly, today's Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff might suggest that the conflicts emanating from the Greater Middle East are:
"the right wars, at the right place, at the right time, and with the right enemy?"
Thus:
a. While Vietnam might properly be considered as peripheral and an improper distraction -- specifically re: our Cold War strategy of containing the former Soviet Union -- and, thus, "creeping incrementalism," in Vietnam, might be seen as (1) not only unwarranted but also as (2) gross error,
b. Can the same be said today, re: our wars in the Greater Middle East; wherein, the strategy is expansion and, thus, "creeping incrementalism," in this very different context might, indeed, be seen as both warranted and valid?
Herein to suggest (and as per Clausewitz above?) that the rules and ideas pertaining to:
a. Wars of containment -- re: an existential threat and a great power rival -- these may be very different from the rules and ideas pertaining to
b. Wars of expansion -- against lesser states and societies -- which pose no such significant threat?
Not a bad start.
* I would add; do a real whole of government, and local grass root approach to get credible voices to establish a Dialogue, NOT MESSAGING
* Streamline DOJ and local law enforcement procedures and authorities to close the seams where local extremists seek to hide
* Interdict funding and revenue sources to CVE: REGARDLESS OF THE ORIGIN OF THE SOURCE.
First, this is not OUR war in the ME, but then again, since it has already touched OUR shores & is flooding us, via our open border to the South (our most pressing National Security Threat) & through the virtual battlefield influencing so-called 'Lone Islamic Jihad Attacks' who have NO business being in OUR country anyway, it is time to take decisive action & eradicate ALL terrorist organizations out to destroy America!
1. Unleash SOF! (under, "Build us a watch, but it is up to you HOW you build it," general guidelines)
2. Utilize the USMC SP-MAGTF as SOF's QRF.
3. Utilize any conventional force involvement to secure the territory of the Kurds ONLY (CAUTION: Do Not get conventional forces involved with the everyday fighting of ISIS. This is exactly what has gone wrong in both Iraq & Afghanistan already.)
4. Politically/economically contain ISIS.
5. Provide DIRECT aid to the Kurds & recognize them separately from Iraq.
6. Go after ISIS & any other terrorists/Narco-terrorist wherever they may be with only one goal & that is to eradicate them completely. (no more GITMOs)
7. STOP trying to train the Syrian Rebels, as we are only succeeding in training/arming future ISIS members. STOP trying to train the Iraqis as they are less than useless in a fight.
8. Include the securing of OUR borders in any AUMF, implementation of "No. 6," inside of the U.S. against suspected & known ISIS terrorist cells & the immediate deportation of ANY ISIS supporters.
9. Establish parameters of when this action will end...NOT a date.
10. Establish Military Tribunals for ANY ISIS terrorists who are not killed on the battlefield, along with their supporters.
Enough playing games & definitely enough with this administration's half-steps/measures, all designed to prolong decisive action, enabling ISIS to establish their caliphate...