Rift Widens Between Obama, U.S. Military Over Strategy To Fight Islamic State -- Washington Post
Flashes of disagreement over how to fight the Islamic State are mounting between President Obama and U.S. military leaders, the latest sign of strain in what often has been an awkward and uneasy relationship.
Even as the administration has received congressional backing for its strategy, with the Senate voting Thursday to approve a plan to arm and train Syrian rebels, a series of military leaders have criticized the president’s approach against the Islamic State militant group.
Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, who served under Obama until last year, became the latest high-profile skeptic on Thursday, telling the House Intelligence Committee that a blanket prohibition on ground combat was tying the military’s hands. “Half-hearted or tentative efforts, or airstrikes alone, can backfire on us and actually strengthen our foes’ credibility,” he said. “We may not wish to reassure our enemies in advance that they will not see American boots on the ground.”
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My Comment: The U.S. intelligence community is also now starting to voice their opposition .... The CIA Prepares To Go To War Against The Islamic State Even Though They Think President Obama's Strategy Is Doomed To Failure.
What's my take .... the Pentagon and the U.S. intelligence community can oppose and disagree all that they want .... but as long as President Obama has the support of Republicans and Democrats in Congress .... this is the strategy and policy that will be followed.