A pair of senators sparred Sunday over President Obama’s approach to Islamic extremism in the Middle East, highlighting the difficult task facing the administration as it tries to strike a balance between its military and diplomatic response to the rising threat.
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who voted last Thursday in favor of granting Obama new powers to train Syrian rebels fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), said he’s open to “doing what it takes” to defeat the terrorist group. But he suggested Obama’s plan, while a start, is not aggressive enough.
“You cannot negotiate with ISIS. Their diplomacy consists of beheadings [and] crucifixions,” Johnson said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” program. “I’m extremely open to doing what it takes to achieve the goal that President Obama has stated. We have to defeat ISIS.”
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who voted against the train-and-arm proposal, said he’s wary of that approach because the “so-called moderate rebels have been openly coordinating” with al Qaeda. He suggested Obama’s plan to help those rebels could enmesh the United States in another prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
“It’s likely an impossibility that they can effectively fight on two fronts against both Assad and against ISIS,” Murphy said. “To me, the risk is that the United States begins getting involved in what may be a very long-term commitment to a messy civil war inside Syria.”
Murphy said he’s “broadly supportive” of Obama’s plan, but “the question is whether getting involved in a very complicated, sectarian civil war in Syria is necessary to the overall strategy.”
Murphy advocated for air strikes in Syria and a stronger focus on Iraq, which, he said, would “effectively degrade ISIS to the point that you have the room for a political solution.”
“We totally misunderstand how you beat a group like [ISIS],” he said of Congress.
But Johnson said the diplomatic approach is simply not realistic, suggesting Obama’s plan won’t achieve the president’s goal “to degrade and defeat” the ISIS militants.
“I agree with President Obama’s goal that they must be defeated,” Johnson said. “I’m just not seeing the strategy that’s actually going to work.”
The White House is pushing a multi-faceted approach to combating ISIS that includes targeted air strikes, the building of an international coalition to confront the group and humanitarian aid to those affected by the violence.
Last week, Congress provided another key element of the plan when it gave Obama new powers to train the Syrian rebels outside of Syria.
Both Johnson and Murphy said Sunday that they’re agreed on one element of the debate: The commitment from Islamic countries is so far insufficient to the task.
“They aren’t as committed as the United States. Saudi Arabia is not leading this coalition, the United States is leading this coalition,” Murphy said. “And that really is going to be the key as to whether this is ultimately successful.”
On Wednesday, Obama will address the United Nations General Assembly in New York City in an attempt to broaden that international commitment.
Read More:Senators spar over ISIS approach | TheHill.
Hey there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay.
I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
For latest news you have to go to see world wide web and on world-wide-web I found this website as a most excellent website for most up-to-date updates.
What’s up to every , as I am in fact eager of reading this web site’s post to be updated daily.
It includes fastidious material.
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.
I do not know who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous
blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the
pictures on this blog loading? I’m trying to determine
if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.
It’s amazing for me to have a website, which is helpful designed for my knowledge.
thanks admin
Hi there! This post could not be written much better! Looking at this post reminds
me of my previous roommate! He always kept preaching about this.
I am going to forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a
great read. Thank you for sharing!
That is a very good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Brief but very accurate info… Many thanks for sharing
this one. A must read post!
It’s truly very complex in this full of activity
life to listen news on TV, thus I just use world wide web for that purpose, and obtain the most recent information.
Generally I do not learn post on blogs, but I wish to say
that this write-up very forced me to take a look at
and do so! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thank you, quite great article.
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate
you penning this post and also the rest of the site is
really good.
I used to be able to find good information from your articles.
I was suggested this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody
else know such detailed about my trouble.
You are incredible! Thanks!
I visited various web pages but the audio feature for audio songs existing at this site is actually wonderful.
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading?
I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, I have just been searching for info approximately this subject for a
while and yours is the best I’ve found out till now.
However, what about the bottom line? Are you sure in regards to the source?
Wonderful blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News.
Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo
News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
Cheers
Right now it looks like Expression Engine is the preferred blogging platform available right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I
find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I am hoping to offer something
back and help others like you helped me.
Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the
net the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you,
I certainly get irked while people consider worries that they plainly do not know about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing
without having side effect , people could take a signal. Will probably
be back to get more. Thanks
Hi there, this weekend is pleasant designed for me, because this point in time i am reading this great educational paragraph here
at my home.
Hi, I check your blogs daily. Your humoristic style is awesome,
keep it up!
Amazing things here. I am very satisfied to look your post.
Thank you so much and I am taking a look ahead to touch you.
Will you please drop me a mail?
Great article.
This is really attention-grabbing, You are a very professional blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and look ahead to in search of more
of your excellent post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks
I got this site from my pal who shared with me on the topic of this website and now this time I am browsing this site and reading
very informative content at this time.
Hello there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was
wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one?
Thanks a lot!
It’s genuinely very complex in this active life to listen news on Television,
therefore I simply use the web for that purpose, and
obtain the most up-to-date information.
What’s up, all is going well here and ofcourse every one is sharing facts, that’s genuinely good,
keep up writing.
Admiring the time and effort you put into your blog and in depth information you offer.
It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed material.
Wonderful read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
I think this is among the most vital info for
me. And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna
remark on few general things, The site style is ideal, the articles is really great :
D. Good job, cheers
My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different web address and thought I might check things out.
I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to looking at your web
page yet again.
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after reading through some
of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely happy I
found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your
weblog and wanted to say that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing
your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss
feed and I hope you write again very soon!
Wonderful, what a website it is! This website provides helpful facts to us, keep it
up.