In Syria, the prospect of a pro-US counteroffensive against ISIS seems to be permanently on delay for lack of pro-US fighters. Even in Iraq, where the government’s forces are allies, the plans are vague, and a long way out.
US officials say that the current planning is around the idea of mounting a major spring offensive in 2015, with the goal of retaking the major highways and several major cities from ISIS by the end of the year.
That means another six months or so before the counteroffensive against ISIS even begins in Iraq, and another six months for ISIS to become even further entrenched across the nation’s west.
Officials say the counteroffensive will involve three new Iraqi Army divisions, which have yet to actually be created, and that will involve 20,000 new troops. Given Iraq’s struggle to get its military back on track after massive defeats this summer, getting those new divisions ready by spring seems hugely optimistic.
Look you officials, the only way to destroy ISIS is for the syrian and Iranian governments to be directly involved in fighting ISIS the saudis barbarians. you need to look in Iraqi, syrian and Palestinians eyes and apologize for your creation and what you have done to millions of homeless people in Syria and Iraq, you officially have managed to destroy three nations in Middle East in last 4 years, shame on you officials, with next election you are offecialy out of office. Close the U.S. Democratic Party, call it the other war and destruction family of the U.S.G family of wars.
By spring ISIL might control Baghdad.
That should buy some time to thing up an excuse to send the marines in.
They'll think about sending the Marines in when ISIS/ISIL has the Green Zone completely surrounded. But, since the airport they would use to ferry them in is outside the city…
Sounds like Vietnamization all over again– from Taylor to Petraeus. As Sun Tzu, a Chinese general of long ago, said "Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat."
Every officer in the Iraq military on the take — lots of luck.
Don't the Iraqis want to fight for their country and rid themselves of these skumbags?
Or can't they? First the AmeriKans killing everybody, now the ISIS garbage.
When will these people catch a break? When all their oil is gone?
I'm sure there are plenty of Iraqis amongst the ISIS. Let's rid ourselves from the region and let the regional players determine their own fate.
Spring? Is this serious? Game over by then.