Obama Authorizes Air Strikes Against Islamic Militants in Iraq
President Obama said last night that he has authorized the US military to conduct airstrikes against Islamic militants if it is deemed necessary to protect American personnel in northern Iraq. He made it clear, however, that absolutely no ground troops would return to the beleaguered nation.
Obama went on to say the US has begun humanitarian aid drops for thousands of Iraqis trapped in the mountains by advancing extremist fighters. “Today America is coming to help,” Obama said from the White House. “When we have the unique capabilities to help avert a massacre, then I think the United States cannot turn a blind eye.”
The New York Times quotes Iraqi and Kurdish officials as saying that airstrikes had already taken place in towns in northern Iraq recently been seized by fighters from the group known as ISIS, or the Islamic State. The Pentagon, however, disputes the account.
Airstrikes would mark the biggest US involvement in military operations in Iraq since the withdrawal of troops in 2011, though Obama insisted that “I will not allow the United States to be dragged into fighting another war in Iraq.” The US has a team of military and diplomatic personnel working in the northern city of Erbil, and the airstrikes are intended to protect them if militants advance on the city, reports the Wall Street Journal.
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And why is the US involved at all? Because George Bush started this whole god damn thing! Yes, Bush’s been out of office for over six years, and I’m still blaming him. Of course, it didn’t start this whole god damn thing, and yes, it IS his fault! Am I feeling a bit defensive? Damn right I am! I’m tired of everybody saying “Bush has been out of office, now it’s Obama’s fault!” No, Bush still started this whole god damn thing! It’s not time to stop blaming Bush! Clearly, we can’t expect Bush to clean it up, but it’s not time to stop blaming him.