What Is Next In The U.S. Military Campaign Against The Islamic State

‘Sustained Campaign’ Against ISIS Poses Complex Challenges For Military, Congress -- FOX News

The launch of U.S. airstrikes in Syria marks the beginning of what military officials are calling a "sustained campaign" against the Islamic State -- a new war in the Middle East that immediately poses complex challenges for the Obama administration and Congress.

Some already see the war against the Islamic State, or ISIS, as an engagement that could last years, and could fall to President Obama's successor to finish.

"The fact is, Islamic terrorism is out to destroy us ... and the war is only going to end when they are defeated," Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., told Fox News, suggesting the "war" was never over in the first place. "And this may well go on for a number of years. In fact, in many ways it's been going on for 20 years."

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My Comment: Dan Lamonthe at the Washington Post explains why the U.S. had to go big today .... Here’s why the U.S. military went big in Syria on a single day (Washington Post). But the problem is that Islamic State fighters were already preparing for U.S. air strikes, and they had already evacuated their bases (Video report from Wochit). More here.

I can now only presume that U.S. strikes in Syria will be limited to what intelligence sources discover, and what our allies in the region may point out are viable targets. Otherwise ....  after today .... short of sending boots on the ground and striking the odd Islamic State military convoy and/or arms depot .... this air war is going to be sporadic after a few days of strikes.