Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

elleng

(135,803 posts)
Fri Jun 26, 2015, 08:14 PM Jun 2015

O'Malley: Boots on the ground vs. ISIS could be "counterproductive"

In his most detailed remarks on foreign policy to date, Democratic presidential candidate Martin O'Malley drew lessons from the Iraq war and the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi to explain his vision for combatting ISIS.

"Containing, degrading, and defeating ISIS will require an integrated approach," the former Maryland governor said in a speech on the first day of the Truman National Security Project's annual conference, "an approach focused not only on military power, but on political solutions."

He contrasted this approach with the approach to the invasion of Iraq, which he referred to as a "mindless rush to war." Putting boots on the ground in this case to fight ISIS, he said, could be "counterproductive to our desired outcome." He said that the U.S. should avoid "mission creep" and emphasized instead the role of partnerships in countering Islamic terrorism and better "human intelligence" gathered by diplomats, like U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens, who was killed in the Benghazi attack.

Stevens, O'Malley said, "gave his life reaching out to those emerging from the rubble of Gadhafi's dictatorship."

O'Malley's strategy, he said, would better equip diplomats like Stevens who are working in "hostile" environments with the tools to engage with local leaders and improve American intelligence of emerging threats.

"We must recognize that there are real lessons to be learned from the tragedy in Benghazi," he said. "Namely, we need to know in advance who is likely to take power or vie for it once a dictator is toppled."

Doug Wilson, who serves as O'Malley's senior foreign policy adviser and chair of the board of advisers at Truman, told reporters following O'Malley's remarks that the speech was not meant as a criticism of Hillary Clinton. Clinton, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in the presidential race, voted for the Iraq invasion as a senator and has been accused of mishandling the Benghazi attack during her tenure as Secretary of State. . .

O'Malley's emphasis on partnerships runs through his entire vision of American foreign policy. He has called for more engagement around the world, in terms of national defense but also to combat what he calls "21st century challenges" like climate change and cyberterrorism.

"After 12 years on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan," he said, "it is understandable that many Americans would like to disengage from the world. Understandable, but not responsible."

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/omalley-boots-on-the-ground-vs-isis-could-be-counterproductive/

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
O'Malley: Boots on the ground vs. ISIS could be "counterproductive" (Original Post) elleng Jun 2015 OP
Interesting article AuntPatsy Jun 2015 #1
A break from War is just what the doctor ordered . orpupilofnature57 Jun 2015 #2
Best to get turks to fight isis rafeh1 Jun 2015 #3
This needs a really BIG kick! Raine1967 Jun 2015 #4
K&R. n/t FSogol Jun 2015 #5

rafeh1

(385 posts)
3. Best to get turks to fight isis
Sat Jun 27, 2015, 06:20 AM
Jun 2015

Erdogan has the credentials amongst muslims to decisvely take down isis. But wont move until us un give him cover and support to remove assad.

Netanyahu hates him and prefers a syrian civil war even with isis rather than a strong erdogan on his border.

Raine1967

(11,600 posts)
4. This needs a really BIG kick!
Sun Jun 28, 2015, 05:58 PM
Jun 2015
Stevens, O'Malley said, "gave his life reaching out to those emerging from the rubble of Gadhafi's dictatorship."

O'Malley's strategy, he said, would better equip diplomats like Stevens who are working in "hostile" environments with the tools to engage with local leaders and improve American intelligence of emerging threats.

"We must recognize that there are real lessons to be learned from the tragedy in Benghazi," he said. "Namely, we need to know in advance who is likely to take power or vie for it once a dictator is toppled."


I do not fault the Obama administration for what happened to ambassador Stevens. What the GOP did to funding the things our diplomats need is devastating. Ignoring that there was a tragedy in benghazi because the GOP wants to use it as an anti hillary fund-raising issue is counter productive.

Clinton was not at fault, but there are REAL problems that are not being addressed because the GOP is distracting things in order to go after her.

That does;t help the nation or our security.


Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Martin O'Malley»O'Malley: Boots on the gr...