Is Counter-Insurgency Making A Comeback In U.S. Foreign Policy?

America’s Resumption Of ‘The Long War’ -- Michael Gerson, Washington Post

As the United States pivots back to the Middle East — in belated recognition that its enemies never pivoted from their intention to establish a territorial expression of radical Islamism — President Obama is more likely to change his policy than to change his rhetoric. We are more likely, in other words, to see “boots on the ground” in Iraq (already more than 1,000 troops are in supportive roles) than we are to hear an admission that the administration’s foreign policy approach has shifted.

Obama now wants to “degrade” the Islamic State’s capabilities, “shrink” its territory, and ultimately “defeat ’em.” (Even the locution has a nostalgic hint of Texas.) This will require a comprehensive “economic,” “political” and “military” campaign and a shift to “offense.” And yet, according to the president, this “is similar to the kinds of counterterrorism campaigns that we’ve been engaging in consistently over the last five, six, seven years.”


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My Comment: I agree with this analysis .... we have gone beyond mission creep to laying the ground work for boots on the ground and a counter-insurgency campaign. The question that needs to be answered is .... how large of an operation will this U.S. campaign be .... and what will be it's overall objective.