OPINION:
Due to indecision by the Obama White House to support moderate Sunni rebels in Syria, Islamic terrorists in Syria (the so-called Islamic State) were able to reposition forces and attack the Iraqi army, which folded and abandoned its U.S. equipment, including many Humvees and 155-millimeter guns. The Iraqi government requested airstrikes against the Islamic State, but President Obama ignored the request, referring to the well-funded terrorist organization as the “JV team.” The result: The Islamic State captured our military equipment and established territory from which they can now launch terrorist attacks. Only belatedly did we decide to send advisers to assist the Iraqi army and launched airstrikes.
We appear to be fostering equilibrium in the Middle East with Shiites of Syria, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq, counter-weighted by Sunnis of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, Syria and Iraq. We should continue to conduct airstrikes, training and covert operations in Iraq and Syria to counter the Islamic State. The Kurds, who are reliable Arab allies, should be well armed. Other Arab nations, including so-called moderates, should be sold used equipment without spare parts.
With the decrease in our dependence on Middle East oil, containment of turmoil and fighting in the Middle East could translate to increased security for the United States and other countries.
DONALD A. MOSKOWITZ
Londonderry, N.H.
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