On Thursday, June 2014 President Barack Obama issued a statement that he would send 300 military advisers to Iraq to assist the embattled government from the advancing Sunni militia from the northern part of the country. According to the president, the move will avoid the country from having a civil war and ensuring stability in the region. The militias have a haven in northern Iraq have the capacity of launching attacks since they are some of America’s enemies. Similarly, Obama is planning to withdraw all the forces that have been in Middle East fro close to eight years. The president informed the White House reporters that the advisors will assess the situation in Iraq and train or support the Iraqi security on the best way to handle the problem. The American forces have not gone for combat in the country but will be instrumental in helping the Iraqis to fight the terror group that strives to threaten the citizens and American interests in the region. The strategy implies that the advisers will take the targeted military action after making determination on the required decision. The tone of the president signals of possible airstrikes for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) that continues to sweep the region of Baghdad recently. The advisors will have multiple joint commands in Baghdad and another place in Iraq. Pentagon proposes to send Green Berets, Navy SEALS, and Army Rangers to gather intelligence. The term military advisors evoked memories of the Vietnam War when the American government sent advisors that ended in a long and expensive war.
The president faces criticism for bringing the American forces back home after the Afghanistan invasion eight years ago. According to White House, Iraq Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki rejected a residual force agreement to provide the forces immunity from local prosecution. Obama administration blames Al-Maliki for bringing divisions among the Sunni and Kurdish people due to selfish policies. Obama administration beckons on Iraqi government to adopt inclusive policies. In the retro respect, the president sent John Kerry the secretary of the state to Iraq to reiterate that message. Obama declares of the need of communities coming together to eliminate mistrust and address isolation in the different segments of Iraq. People from the country have to come together to ensure an end on the hostilities. Other voices of criticizers come from the Republicans such as Senator John McCain from Arizona and Lindsey Graham that term the move of the president as a soft foreign policy. According to McCain, the president is making a political change in Iraq that can lead to more military from America invading Iraq to ensure a reverse momentum of ISIS and improve the security situation. Other critics that seek anonymity cite that the military advisors will be based in the Iraq military brigade headquarter to gather on the intelligence of the ISIS forces, their location, number, and weaponry. Intelligence gathered by the force would be crucial in making decisions to airstrike on the ISIS fighters upon request of the Iraq government.
The announcement comes after Obama had intense discussions with a team of national security to consider the military options while strongly pressing al-Maliki to make changes and ensure of a more inclusive government. Some of the senor America officials believe that the government offer for credence to Sunni will avoid another sectarian fighting that had engulfed the region some years ago. The idea of pushing al-Maliki can lead him going to Iran to ensure the Shiite remain in power. The republican House Speaker cites that Obama has to craft an effective strategy that will combat terrorism in Middle East region since they might encroach to other places. Obama has failed to take drastic action against terror groups that have increased exponentially during his tenure.
References
Deyoung, K., & Gearan, A. (n.d.). Obama sending up to 300 soldiers to Iraq as advisers, says move is limited. Washington Post. Retrieved June 23, 2014, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/obama-announces-he-is-sending-up-to-300-troops-back-to-iraq-as-advisers/2014/06/19/a15f9628-f7c2-11e3-8aa9-dad2ec039789_story.html
Jakes, L., & Pace, J. (n.d.). President Obama Sending Military Advisers to Iraq. WGGB Springfield President Obama Sending Military Advisers to Iraq Comments. Retrieved June 26, 2014, from http://www.wggb.com/2014/06/19/live-streaming-at-1230-president-obama-to-speak-on-situtation-in-iraq/
Starr, B., Barrett, T., Sciutto, J., & Koran, L. (1970, January 1). Obama says 'small number' of military advisers going to Iraq. CNN. Retrieved June 25, 2014, from http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/19/politics/us-iraq/
