Originally Posted by
Chugalug2
The Iraqi Army is just a bad joke, achieving the dubious distinction of being second only to Saudi Arabia as the principle supporter of ISIS (or whatever we are supposed to call those monsters this week).
Actually, the current Iraqi army is fighting ISIS, and recently took back Baiji. But I don't consider them a very strong fighting force.
The Syrian Army is too busy tackling its President's real opponents to bother too much with ISIS.
They are limited in effectiveness, to be sure.
The Kurds are the best bet, but supplying them is a no no because they are marginalised by Turkey, a NATO member. So whose boots will you put there, RD? Yours?
Believe it or not, the US support for Kurds continues. Hopefully the UK will join in providing some support to them if they have not already. (I hear that the Israelis were supporting some Kurds a few years ago, but I'm not sure where or for how long or how credible that report was).
The real Elephant in the Room is Saudi Arabia.
Agree.
As I said before, what is the aim?
Fair question, and each head of state seems to have a different answer.