{UAH} OBAMA, MILITARY GENERALS CLASH OVER ISIL WAR STRATEGY

Obama, military generals clash over ISIL war strategy

US President Barack Obama, left, and Army Gen. Martin Dempsey

Fri Sep 19, 2014 8:22AM

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The uneasy relationship between the White House and US military is on full display as President Barack Obama and his top generals continue to clash over the new strategy to combat the ISIL terrorist organization.

Obama has authorized airstrikes against ISIL targets in Iraq and Syria, but has ruled out American boots on the ground in a combat role.

US military officials have complained privately for weeks that airstrikes alone would not be sufficient to achieve the announced goal of deafening ISIL.

The administration hopes the Iraqi military and vetted “moderate” Syrian militants would lead the ground offensive against ISIL.

“Half-hearted or tentative efforts, or airstrikes alone, can backfire on us and actually strengthen our foes’ credibility,” Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis told the House Intelligence Committee on Thursday.

“We may not wish to reassure our enemies in advance that they will not see American boots on the ground,” he added, according to The Washington Post.

Mattis’s comments echo the position of Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who said he may recommend US ground forces if only in small teams and limited circumstances.

Obama has already deployed about 1,600 US special forces to Iraq to “advise” the Iraqi military.

"To be clear, if we reach the point where I believe our advisers should accompany Iraqi troops on attacks against specific ISIL targets, I will recommend that to the president," Dempsey said at a Senate hearing on Tuesday.

Army Gen. Lloyd Austin, who is in charge of the military command that includes Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, has already recommended a small contingent of special operations forces fighting against ISIL militants.

The Senate gave approval Thursday for arming and training “moderate” Syrian militants to fight against both ISIL and the government of President Bashar al-Assad. 

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