Ryan, Johnson Differ on Obama's ISIS Strategy
WASHINGTON -- The two congressmen who represent the Mahoning Valley in the U.S. House of Representatives differ on elements of the strategy President Obama outlined last night to combat the threat of the Islamic State terrorist group, referred to alternatively as ISIS and ISIL.
During his prime-time address (READ FULL TEXT), Obama detailed a strategy that included conducting a “systematic campaign of airstrikes,” sending 475 additional military personnel to Iraq who will not have a combat mission, mobilizing the international community to combat the threat and continuing to provide humanitarian assistance.
Following the address, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-13 Howland, issued a statement saying he stands with Obama and supports his “comprehensive strategy of targeted air strikes, tactical support, intelligence gathering, and the training of local forces in the region to combat ISIS.” Ryan said he also “strongly” supports the president’s decision not to involve American ground troops.
“This is an international problem and I am pleased to see that countries around the world will join the United States in the fight against this terrorist organization,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-6 Ohio, said he’s encouraged to hear Obama “finally acknowledge the gravity of the ISIS threat” and that America would lead a coalition to eliminate the organization, but he questions the ability of Iraqi security forces and the Syrian opposition to overtake ISIS, even with the aid of U.S. airpower.
“ISIS has made it crystal clear that they are preparing to fight us, and the longer we wait to use overwhelming force, the more difficult our challenge becomes. Action must be taken quickly and decisively,” Johnson said. “America was waiting for President Obama to demonstrate leadership on this issue. While overdue, tonight was a positive first step, and knowing the danger of the threat we face, I stand willing to work with the president and those dedicated to eliminating ISIS.”
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, said he backs the president’s “comprehensive strategy” and believes it is prudent for the United States to act now to eradicate the terror group.
That effort must be supported by “a broad coalition of nations,” Casey says, and he welcomes the administration’s efforts, including “including extensive work by Secretary of State John Kerry, over the past few days and weeks to build a coalition that is committed to fighting ISIL.”
Casey also supports Obama’s commitment to training the Syrian opposition, he said..
Hours before Obama delivered his address, U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, a member of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, pressed administration officials regarding the initial downplaying of the threat posed to the United States and the impact of past U.S. policies (WATCH VIDEO).
Portman questioned Nick Rasmussen, deputy director of the National Counterterrorism Center, on the intelligence community’s assessment of the ISIS threat.
“There has been a lot of attention recently to President Obama’s comments last January about regional terrorist groups being like JV teams in relation to ISIS’s seizing of Fallujah,” Portman said. “I will say given all the bloodshed and the resources expended in the two attempts to take Fallujah in 2004…those comments are particularly disconcerting.”
Pictured: President Obama addresses the nation last night.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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