Op-Ed: Rep. Tom Marino Outlines Seven Point Plan to Eradicate ISIS
Sep 15, 2014 Issues: Defense and National Security, Foreign Affairs
Cogan Station, PA-President Obama addressed the nation on the eve of September 11th in an attempt to outline how he plans to “degrade and destroy” ISIS, or ISIL as he calls it. However, the speech fell far short of describing just how evil ISIS is and how difficult it will be to defeat them. President Obama also failed to articulate just how seriously imminent the threat is to our homeland. Yet, I commend the President for making his address while not revealing our exacting strategies and tactics. It was a smart move from an otherwise disengaged and seemingly inept Commander in Chief.
I have been quick to share my views about how America and our allies should go about defeating ISIS. Some on the left and even the right will criticize me, calling me a war monger. Critics will outline the monetary costs of waging all-out war on ISIS and still others will advocate for America to further isolate itself. Nevertheless, these criticisms fail to recognize the harsh realities of the world we live in and geopolitical dilemmas our President has allowed us to descend into.
Every American can plainly see just how bad things have gotten. The polls show it. The world is on fire. What we are witnessing is what happens when America waivers and retreats from a position of strength in the world. Putin invades Ukraine. China provokes Japan and the Philippines. Hamas brazenly attacks Israel. Assad uses chemical weapons against his own people. Terrorists attack our consulate and murder our ambassador. And ISIS is on the march.
ISIS, or the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, is nothing new. We have known about their formation for over a year. Yet President Obama allowed this threat fester to the point that it has now grown to a size that even he, the “I end wars, not start them” President, is forced to act.
ISIS now occupies vast swaths of land throughout Iraq and Syria. They control cities our men and women fought and died for during the Iraq War. They have taken control without any significant resistance from the Iraqi Army and now they drive Humvees paid for by the American taxpayer. ISIS has confiscated masses of weaponry given to the Iraqis by the U.S.
ISIS is comprised of the world’s most evil people. They are rapists, pillagers, murders, women-haters, and thieves. They fight only to destroy. They have no valid grievances. They have threatened us time and time again without response and so they beheaded our captured journalists. Just think about that for a moment. Put yourself in a position of leadership. What would you do? How do you think the people you represent would want you to address that kind of evil? Would you try to rationalize with the evil? Would you try to intellectualize their motives? No. You would act.
I may be one of 435 members in the House of Representatives, but I am not alone. I and others who share my views will lead an effort to ensure ISIS is destroyed and our homeland is secure. We will push and we will build an overwhelming coalition of members to help the Commander in Chief kill every last one of ISIS’s fighters. We will seek to go after every entity and nation who harbors or funds them without reservation.
That is why I support the use of force against ISIS and the provision of necessary funds to do so. In addition, I will also push my seven-point plan to systematically disrupt, dismantle and destroy ISIS. The plan is as follows:
1. Effective immediately, position carrier battle groups in the region and begin a massive shock-and-awe air campaign to destroy ISIS’s heavy weaponry and transportation routes while simultaneously ordering special operations forces to hunt down ISIS leaders and commanders. Capture or kill them and free any captives. This will assist in gathering vital intelligence.
2. Reestablish local intelligence networks and reassure informants within those networks that we will protect them. This reestablishment will take time and can be done more quickly with the help of our Allies’ networks and operatives.
3. Continue to arm and assist the Kurdish Peshmerga to fight alongside us. They are the most reliable and have shown their abilities to defend their lands and resist ISIS.
4. Stifle and shutdown ISIS’s propaganda machine and online radicalization efforts via cyberwarfare. This will frustrate and lessen their influence to draw new fighters to their aide.
5. Drastically increase border security on the U.S.-Mexican border with National Guard troops and the necessary resources for our border agents. We then authorize federal law enforcement to launch new counterterrorism operations near our borders with the express purpose of monitoring and neutralizing threats.
6. Direct Secretary Kerry and all high-ranking diplomats to demand our Allies and other nations join our cause – whether militarily, economically or logistically.
7. Disable ISIS’s economic capabilities by destroying oil lines. Demand no nation pay them ransoms for captives and launch investigations into any governments that may be funneling money to ISIS and shutdown those transactions.
This plan is comprehensive and necessary. It is the kind of thing the American people are ready to hear. They, as well as I, wish we were not in this predicament, however, Americans know we are still the shining city upon the hill. We are the first and last line of defense for freedom and liberty. We are a nation of good will and when we are led properly, good people follow us.
Now is the time Mr. President. Seize this opportunity to reclaim your credibility and lead from the front of the pack. The world is watching and ISIS is on the march.
