06-12-2014, 05:18 PM
EVERYBODY'S TALKING AT ME...
President Obama (Democrat) said today:
"This is an area that we have been watching with a lot of concern," Obama said, noting the United States and the international community should extend additional support.
"So my team is working around the clock to identify how we can provide the most effective assistance to them," Obama said. "I don't rule out anything because we do have a stake in making sure that these jihadists are not getting a permanent foothold in either Iraq or Syria, for that matter."
Note: however, a senior administration official followed up by saying the use of American ground forces is not under consideration. "No boots on the ground. Not being considered."
Meanwhile, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari stated:
"No one is calling for American troops into Iraq." He said Washington has been cooperative and has a responsibility to be proactive in the current fight against militants.
The U.S. government has already provided $15 billion in training, weapons and equipment to the Iraqi government. (HOTD: Iraq's position is that it needs/wants more.)
Iraq on Wednesday indicated a willingness for U.S. airstrikes. But there has been no indication if that's under consideration.
And, then, House Speaker Boehner (Republican) weighed-in:
"I think what we should do is to provide the equipment and technical assistance that the Iraqis have been asking for," the Ohio Republican said.
"But it's not like we haven't seen this problem coming for over a year, and it's not like we haven't seen over the last five or six months, these terrorists moving in, taking control of western Iraq, now they've taken control of Mosul, they're 100 miles from Baghdad, and what's the President doing? Taking a nap," Boehner added.
After which, Arizona Senator John McCain (Republican) told the press:
"The President should get rid of his entire national security including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff," he said prior to a classified briefing for Armed Services Committee members.
He said Obama should bring back David Petraeus, the former commander of American forces during a decisive period of the Iraq War, among other Bush-era generals to "turn this whole situation around."
Although McCain was highly critical of Obama's handling of Iraq, he did not advocate for military airstrikes.
But, Nancy Pelosi (Democrat), Minority House Leader, disagreed:
"I don't think there's any appetite in our country for us to become engaged in any more military activity in Iraq --are we going to refight the war that we just got out of?" she asked (a view consistent with many other Democratic congresspersons).
Where do you stand today, three years after the US pulled out of Iraq and given the current jihadist gains?
President Obama (Democrat) said today:
"This is an area that we have been watching with a lot of concern," Obama said, noting the United States and the international community should extend additional support.
"So my team is working around the clock to identify how we can provide the most effective assistance to them," Obama said. "I don't rule out anything because we do have a stake in making sure that these jihadists are not getting a permanent foothold in either Iraq or Syria, for that matter."
Note: however, a senior administration official followed up by saying the use of American ground forces is not under consideration. "No boots on the ground. Not being considered."
Meanwhile, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari stated:
"No one is calling for American troops into Iraq." He said Washington has been cooperative and has a responsibility to be proactive in the current fight against militants.
The U.S. government has already provided $15 billion in training, weapons and equipment to the Iraqi government. (HOTD: Iraq's position is that it needs/wants more.)
Iraq on Wednesday indicated a willingness for U.S. airstrikes. But there has been no indication if that's under consideration.
And, then, House Speaker Boehner (Republican) weighed-in:
"I think what we should do is to provide the equipment and technical assistance that the Iraqis have been asking for," the Ohio Republican said.
"But it's not like we haven't seen this problem coming for over a year, and it's not like we haven't seen over the last five or six months, these terrorists moving in, taking control of western Iraq, now they've taken control of Mosul, they're 100 miles from Baghdad, and what's the President doing? Taking a nap," Boehner added.
After which, Arizona Senator John McCain (Republican) told the press:
"The President should get rid of his entire national security including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff," he said prior to a classified briefing for Armed Services Committee members.
He said Obama should bring back David Petraeus, the former commander of American forces during a decisive period of the Iraq War, among other Bush-era generals to "turn this whole situation around."
Although McCain was highly critical of Obama's handling of Iraq, he did not advocate for military airstrikes.
But, Nancy Pelosi (Democrat), Minority House Leader, disagreed:
"I don't think there's any appetite in our country for us to become engaged in any more military activity in Iraq --are we going to refight the war that we just got out of?" she asked (a view consistent with many other Democratic congresspersons).
Where do you stand today, three years after the US pulled out of Iraq and given the current jihadist gains?