U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter and his wife, Stephanie, meet with coalition troops on Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Dec. 15, 2015. The secretary spoke about the push to accelerate the campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL. Carter is on a weeklong trip to the Middle East. DoD photo
Washington Post: Defense secretary prods allies to increase efforts against Islamic State
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey — Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter on Tuesday visited a Turkish air base near the Syrian border that has become a hub for operations against the Islamic State, as the Obama administration presses Turkey and other allied nations to step up their military response to the extremist group.
Carter touched down at Incirlik, located in southern Turkey about 100 miles from the Syrian border, at the beginning of a Middle Eastern tour that will give him a chance to assess the evolving U.S. campaign against the militant group, which remains dug in across large tracts of Syria and Iraq despite 16 months of U.S. and allied airstrikes.
“We’re looking to intensify and accelerate the defeat of ISIL,” Carter told reporters from the base’s sprawling tarmac. The Islamic State, a radical al-Qaeda offshoot, is also known as ISIS and ISIL.
More News On U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter's Visit To The Middle East
Carter Calls for More Global Cooperation to Defeat ISIL -- US Department of Defense
Carter Visits Troops, Coalition Partners in Middle East -- US Department of Defense
US Defense Chief, Ashton Carter, Seeks More Allied Help in ISIS Fight -- NYT
Carter Seeks New Ways to Fight ISIL in Turkey Visit -- Defense News
U.S. defense chief seeks more Turkish help against Islamic State -- Reuters
U.S. presses Turkey to do more in coalition's fight against Islamic State -- L.A. Times
Defense chief in Turkey looking for ISIS advice -- CBS/AP
‘We want them to do more’ – US defense secretary asks Turkey to seal Syria border -- RT
U.S. footprint expands at Turkey's Incirlik Air Base -- Army Times
Carter's Trip Aims to Strengthen Fight Against Islamic State -- AP
1 comment:
WNU,
To prepare all parties in the area for the US's agreement to a Russian plan to be presented at the New York talks, he's there to explain why we now accept Assad staying in power and why the US is not pursuing further the evidence of Irani nuclear capable missile testing (and possible bomb testing itself). The stage is being set for a major Russo-Irani effort to establish land communications from Iran to the Med.
This effort I don't believe will be successful, at least to the satisfaction of Iran. Iranian forces (regular, IRG, and Hezbollah) have shown capabilities far below some expectations. It would require a much much larger Russian commitment in numbers and time to succeed even initially.
This brings one to Putin and the decisions he will need (or already has made) to make on what he wants to see happen in 6 months, 5years, and beyond. Though these time frames are obviously connected they each have their own specific requirements.
Those who claim Putin plans and moves on an ad hoc basis can claim he's been very successful on the 6 months time frame, but has nothing for 5 years and beyond. If he's playing a much deeper game (which I believe) he's already accomplished the "being there", but what he sees as a goal beyond that is obscure.
Buxum deberent destrui!
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