On Asia Trip, Obama Desperate to Defend ISIS War Strategy

Recent Claims of 'Contained' ISIS Coming Back to Haunt President

President Obama, in Malaysia as part of his long-planned trip to Asia, was supposed to be focusing heavily on the Pentagon’s “Asia pivot” as the military component of his visit, but instead is finding himself talking non-stop about the ISIS war, eager to defend his existing strategy in the conflict.

At the same time, Obama is positioning himself as opposed to ongoing Congressional efforts to stop refugees entering the United States, aiming to present his strategy as simultaneously “compassionate” and a reipe for an eventual military victory over ISIS.

Obama is in a tough position in that regard, however, after claiming on the eve of the Paris attacks that ISIS was already successfully “contained.” He credited his strategy for that accomplishment and that’s putting his own estimation of where the war is going into serious doubt.

Other administration officials are trying to spin the last few weeks as a major victory over ISIS, huge ISIS terror attacks notwithstanding, claiming the recent assassination of ISIS figures in drone strikes prove that the US remains committed to wiping them out.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.