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Peter1469
09-18-2014, 08:23 PM
Administration and military leaders fight over strategy (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/rift-widens-between-obama-us-military-over-strategy-to-fight-islamic-state/2014/09/18/ebdb422e-3f5c-11e4-b03f-de718edeb92f_story.html)

This level of infighting is unheard of in recent times. Bottom line, the president has a goal, but refuses to allow measures to achieve it.


Flashes of disagreement over how to fight the Islamic State are mounting between President Obama and U.S. military leaders, the latest sign of strain (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/dempsey-raises-possibility-of-involving-us-combat-troops-in-fight-against-islamic-state/2014/09/16/8e13a742-3da1-11e4-b0ea-8141703bbf6f_story.html) in what often has been an awkward and uneasy relationship (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/syria-crisis-reveals-uneasy-relationship-between-obama-nations-military-leaders/2013/09/18/752bb828-1ca5-11e3-a628-7e6dde8f889d_story.html).


Even as the administration has received congressional backing for its strategy, with the Senate voting Thursday to approve a plan to arm and train Syrian rebels, a series of military leaders have criticized the president’s approach against the Islamic State militant group.


Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, who served under Obama until last year, became the latest high-profile skeptic on Thursday, telling the House Intelligence Committee that a blanket prohibition on ground combat was tying the military’s hands. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2014/09/18/gen-james-mattis-on-iraq-you-just-dont-take-anything-off-the-table-up-front/) “Half-hearted or tentative efforts, or airstrikes alone, can backfire on us and actually strengthen our foes’ credibility,” he said. “We may not wish to reassure our enemies in advance that they will not see American boots on the ground.”

KC
09-18-2014, 08:27 PM
The President certainly isn't doing his party any favors so close to election day.

Gunny
09-18-2014, 08:29 PM
Administration and military leaders fight over strategy (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/rift-widens-between-obama-us-military-over-strategy-to-fight-islamic-state/2014/09/18/ebdb422e-3f5c-11e4-b03f-de718edeb92f_story.html)

This level of infighting is unheard of in recent times. Bottom line, the president has a goal, but refuses to allow measures to achieve it.

Why wouldn't they fight? The military wants to win. The administration wants to play politics.

Green Arrow
09-18-2014, 09:30 PM
Of course. Obama is a spoiled, petulant child. He demands to get his way in everything, and throws a tantrum when he doesn't get it. In this case, he wants to avoid boots on the ground because he knows it'll hurt his party in the election and maybe even in 2016.

The longer Obama is President, the more I feel like a Republican. Thanks, Obama.

KC
09-18-2014, 09:45 PM
Thanks, Obama.

8911

Mac-7
09-19-2014, 08:55 AM
Morning Joe on MSNBC (who never served) was very critical of the military officers who disagree with Obama.

He is correct that this is unusual.

the last time I remember it happening was Gen Singlaub opposing jimmy carter on the issue of pulling US troops out of Korea.

but I'm glad that the generals are speaking out.

Common Sense
09-19-2014, 10:01 AM
Of course. Obama is a spoiled, petulant child. He demands to get his way in everything, and throws a tantrum when he doesn't get it. In this case, he wants to avoid boots on the ground because he knows it'll hurt his party in the election and maybe even in 2016.

The longer Obama is President, the more I feel like a Republican. Thanks, Obama.

...or maybe he just doesn't want Americans getting killed over more foreign bullshit.

Ransom
09-19-2014, 10:05 AM
Of course. Obama is a spoiled, petulant child. He demands to get his way in everything, and throws a tantrum when he doesn't get it. In this case, he wants to avoid boots on the ground because he knows it'll hurt his party in the election and maybe even in 2016.

The longer Obama is President, the more I feel like a Republican. Thanks, Obama.

Arrow. I get yer dander all aflame in here and mess with you a lot....but you are of sound mind, intelligence, at times.....reasonable, I've even seen a smart post from you once in awhile. So, of course you will start to lean Republican. As we mature, age, gain necessary tools and vital argument making skills. As experiences in our lives and interactions with those around us......gather historical perspective......we lean Republican. Few more months under barrages of Ransom artillery, you'll be a neocon.

Ransom
09-19-2014, 10:12 AM
The President certainly isn't doing his party any favors so close to election day.

Hasn't been doing them much favors since he came into office, makes one wonder why he has any remaining support.

Mac-7
09-19-2014, 10:24 AM
...or maybe he just doesn't want Americans getting killed over more foreign bullshit.

Or more likely obumer leads from behind and reads the polls.

The American people were not in the mood to fight WWII either.

but FDR knew that the war would come to us sooner or later and did his best to lead the country where it didn't want to go.

Private Pickle
09-19-2014, 10:26 AM
= GOP takes Senate

Polecat
09-19-2014, 10:37 AM
Politicians say fight or don't fight. If we're going to fight then the politicians need to let the military make the strategy. They are qualified to make these decisions. If the matter could be settled over a game of golf then we would send in Obama.

Mac-7
09-19-2014, 11:01 AM
Politicians say fight or don't fight. If we're going to fight then the politicians need to let the military make the strategy. They are qualified to make these decisions. If the matter could be settled over a game of golf then we would send in Obama.

One report has Obama with no military experience micromanaging the air war.

Green Arrow
09-19-2014, 11:35 AM
...or maybe he just doesn't want Americans getting killed over more foreign bullshit.

If he had a track record of taking such a position, I would agree with you, but he doesn't. He has shown that he has no inhibitions toward intervention, just like his predecessor. U.S. troops to an area infected by ebola, tried to get us into a war with Syria using the same lines Bush used to get us into Iraq, already sent upwards of 2,000 troops to Iraq, the list goes on.

Peter1469
09-19-2014, 03:43 PM
Politicians say fight or don't fight. If we're going to fight then the politicians need to let the military make the strategy. They are qualified to make these decisions. If the matter could be settled over a game of golf then we would send in Obama.

The civilian leadership must declare their ultimate goal. And then let the military decide how to achieve it.

For instance, destroy an enemy makes for a lot more work than degrade an enemy.

Polecat
09-19-2014, 04:42 PM
The civilian leadership must declare their ultimate goal. And then let the military decide how to achieve it.

For instance, destroy an enemy makes for a lot more work than degrade an enemy.

As long as they don't send troops to hand out candy bars and build infrastructure and show good will all the while being picked off by snipers and IED. Once they hit the ground it should be kill or take prisoner. There are no civilians in a war zone.

Peter1469
09-19-2014, 05:04 PM
As long as they don't send troops to hand out candy bars and build infrastructure and show good will all the while being picked off by snipers and IED. Once they hit the ground it should be kill or take prisoner. There are no civilians in a war zone.

There can be. And once we hit IS hard they will melt into the civilian population.

Gerrard Winstanley
09-19-2014, 05:05 PM
As long as they don't send troops to hand out candy bars and build infrastructure and show good will all the while being picked off by snipers and IED. Once they hit the ground it should be kill or take prisoner. There are no civilians in a war zone.
There are. I believe the civilians are the ones not out to shoot you or cut your head off. :rollseyes: