Tonight comes the news that ISIS targets in Syria are finally being bombed. The attack has come first by American cruise missiles and then by American and other aircraft. We know that the air force of the USA was joined by planes from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan and Bahrain and that command and control came from bases in Qatar. We do not yet know, however, how many of the aircraft were from those Arab countries. The targets hit were mostly in the city of Raqqa or the surrounding area in Syria. Raqqa is the capital of ISIS, and the strikes were principally focused on weapons depots, oil storage units, and command and control installations. In total, about 20 to 25 sites were targeted.
Without a doubt, one morning of bombing does not constitute a war or even a campaign, but it certainly is a good start. These attacks seem like the first time American power has really been brought down upon ISIS forces. The previous attacks inside Iraq have been on a much smaller scale. It's about time that ISIS got hit harder.
It is also important that the five Arab nations took active part in the coalition delivering these blows. There is no way back now for these countries; they are clearly enemies of ISIS. Probably the nation in greatest peril from a counter strike by ISIS is Jordan. There are already thousands of ISIS fighters within a close distance to Jordan. King Abdullah of Jordan and his government have take a very brave step which may result in their nation getting hit by an ISIS attack. In a strange sort of way, should ISIS attack Jordan, it may solve one of the biggest problems faced by the USA in this effort. An ISIS attack would bring a prompt response from the Jordanian military, one of the better trained armies of the region. While Jordan's army is not that large (it has about 90,000 men under arms), it is still much larger than ISIS. Were ISIS to attack, the Jordanian troops could become the core of the "boots on the ground" fighting ISIS.
Tonight's action seems to be the first time that president Obama has actually taken a step against ISIS which is not tentative or half hearted. One day of attacks is not enough, of course. Still, Obama should be congratulated for finally doing what he ought to have done long ago. Better late than never!
Without a doubt, one morning of bombing does not constitute a war or even a campaign, but it certainly is a good start. These attacks seem like the first time American power has really been brought down upon ISIS forces. The previous attacks inside Iraq have been on a much smaller scale. It's about time that ISIS got hit harder.
It is also important that the five Arab nations took active part in the coalition delivering these blows. There is no way back now for these countries; they are clearly enemies of ISIS. Probably the nation in greatest peril from a counter strike by ISIS is Jordan. There are already thousands of ISIS fighters within a close distance to Jordan. King Abdullah of Jordan and his government have take a very brave step which may result in their nation getting hit by an ISIS attack. In a strange sort of way, should ISIS attack Jordan, it may solve one of the biggest problems faced by the USA in this effort. An ISIS attack would bring a prompt response from the Jordanian military, one of the better trained armies of the region. While Jordan's army is not that large (it has about 90,000 men under arms), it is still much larger than ISIS. Were ISIS to attack, the Jordanian troops could become the core of the "boots on the ground" fighting ISIS.
Tonight's action seems to be the first time that president Obama has actually taken a step against ISIS which is not tentative or half hearted. One day of attacks is not enough, of course. Still, Obama should be congratulated for finally doing what he ought to have done long ago. Better late than never!
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