Sen. Lindsey Graham: Need U.S. boots on the ground to defeat Islamic State

Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican, said Sunday that U.S. service members need to go to Syria and Iraq because air strikes will not be enough to defeat the Islamic State.

“There is no way I can see to fix the problem in Iraq and Syria without American ground troops,” he said on CNN. “You need boots on the ground and these are human beings with hope and dreams.”

Mr. Graham said it will take more than the 4,000 troops to complete the mission of defeating the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL. He also said it will take too long to make progress against the terrorist group if American troops are not involved on the ground, and that the group will only get stronger during that time.

“The job of the commander in chief is the protect the country,” he said. “I think most Americans understand that if we don’t defeat ISIL, if they survive our best shot, we are not as safe.”

Sen. Jack Reed, Rhode Island Democrat, said the president’s plan makes sense to use American air power and better train Iraqi forces to fight on the ground.

“Effective Iraqi military forces on the ground would actually be more effective than a short-term introduction of American forces. I think the most effective way to use the best aspects of both countries is our superior power in the air, our intelligence,” he said. “And make sure to get the Iraqi forces up to speed so they can be effective on the ground.”