Obama's ISIL Speech Brags of Somalia & Yemen, Nothing on Libya
By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, September 14, 2014 -- US President Barack Obama's speech was
2010 words long, mentioning Yemen and Somalia twice each, but Libya not
once. Libya was an intervention Obama directed for the US, that has left
dueling militia and missing passenger jets in its wake.
The speech mentioned the UN once, the UN Security Council session on
foreign fighters that Obama will chair on September 24. But what about at
least seeking UN Security Council approval for air strikes on Syria?
Apparently not.
In calling for the arming of the Syrian opposition, including by Saudi
Arabia, some question the qualitative difference with arming and training of
rebels in Ukraine and snark: my rebels good, your rebels bad.
Before the speech there were these quotes, embargoed until exactly 6:30
pm:
"So tonight, with a new Iraqi government in place, and following
consultations with allies abroad and Congress at home, I can announce that
America will lead a broad coalition to roll back this terrorist threat. Our
objective is clear: we will degrade, and ultimately destroy, ISIL through a
comprehensive and sustained counter-terrorism strategy."
"But I want the American people to understand how this effort will be
different from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It will not involve
American combat troops fighting on foreign soil. This counter-terrorism
campaign will be waged through a steady, relentless effort to take out ISIL
wherever they exist using our air power and our support for partner forces
on the ground. This strategy of taking out terrorists who threaten us, while
supporting partners on the front lines, is one that we have successfully
pursued in Yemen and Somalia for years."
Whether it has been successful in Yemen -- where the Houthis drove all the
way to Sana'a -- or Somalia where the US' local partners raised Shabelle
Media, is UNclear. We'll cover the speech.
Starting from the beheading of US journalist James Foley
<
http://www.innercitypress.com/foley2unechoed082214.html> , the Syrian
Coalition has pushed harder to equate Assad and the Islamic State, and to
present themselves, based in Turkey, as a key to fighting ISIL. Their pitch
on the Arab League meeting is below.
But first, this read-out from a Senior US State Department official, of
Secretary of State Kerry's call with Nabil al-Arabi:
"Secretary Kerry spoke with the Secretary General of the Arab League Nabil
Elaraby today to discuss developments in the region and to provide an update
on efforts to combat ISIL in advance of the Arab League meetings which start
tomorrow. They discussed the need for the Arab League and its members to
take a strong position in the coalition that is developing against ISIL and
the importance of decisive action to stop the flow of foreign fighters,
counter ISIL's financing, and combat its incitement.
"The Secretary emphasized that the military aspect is only one part of this
effort and that to degrade and destroy the threat posed by ISIL will require
a holistic approach that will take time, persistence and require
coordination with our Arab partners at the international, regional, and
local level - combining military, law enforcement, intelligence, economic,
and diplomatic tools. Both leaders also recognized that Iraq is on the front
line in the war against ISIL and that Iraq, the United States, the region,
and the international community must stand together to assist Iraq in facing
this threat."
Earlier on September 6 the Syrian Coalition issued a statement that:
"Nasr al-Hariri, Secretary General of the Syrian Coalition, calls on the
Arab League to go beyond political recognition of the Syrian Coalition and
grant it full legal recognition as the representative of the Syrian people
during a meeting held today with Secretary General of the Arab League, Nabil
al-Arabi.
"Al Arabi invited the Syrian Coalition to occupy Syria's seat in the Arab
League tomorrow and speak on behalf of the Syrian people. 'Fighting
terrorism cannot be done piecemeal, therefore the Arab League's resolution
must include putting an end to the terror practiced by the Assad regime
against the Syrian people,' Al Hariri said commenting on the Arab League's
intention to pass a resolution to confront terrorism during the upcoming
ministerial meeting."
The Syrian Coalition said it will churn out a quote right after Obama's
speech.
Footnote: Agence France Presse, purporting an info-graphic
<
https://twitter.com/innercitypress/status/502207375713894401> of
journalists killed last year, listed four as killed "in Gaza." Since all
other listed jurisdiction are full UN member states, some surmised AFP's
nomenclature let off the hook the killer of those journalists. Despite
calling it social media, 17 days later AFP has not responded.
Received on Sun Sep 14 2014 - 11:45:08 EDT