“American forces deployed to Iraq will not have a combat mission.”

“I will not commit you to fighting another ground war in Iraq.”

“Now, it will take time to eradicate a cancer like ISIL. And any time we take military action, there are risks involved – especially to the servicemen and women who carry out these missions. But I want the American people to understand how this effort will be different from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It will not involve American combat troops fighting on foreign soil.”

President Obama’s message to the U.S. about ISIS came with yet another promise: no troops involved.

No boots on the ground.

None.

This new promise may end up being broken as his original plan of fighting ISIS, solely with air support, has done little to slow the march of the militants on the surrounding regions. ISIS has already taken over most of Iraq, including Mosul where my uncle was stationed, a good deal of Syria, and threatened Turkey with an attack on their own border.

This threat has had little effect on Turkey’s foreign policy stance on ISIS as Turkey has given minimal support to the U.S.-led coalition. Turkey has decided to be as far away from the conflict as possible and not involve their own troops or even let the U.S. use their air bases to launch strikes against ISIS.

Turkey has also refused to assist Kobul, a Kurdish town under attack by ISIS on their own border. What would seem to be a golden political opportunity to make amends with the Kurds in the region is being treated as “not my problem.” Well sorry Turkey, but it is your problem. The countries around you have demonstrated their weakness in the fight against ISIS and have forced the U.S. to get involved in a conflict they shouldn’t have to deal with. The lack of leadership and cowardice displayed by the Turkish government gives little hope of a victory against ISIS, one that the world desperately needs. The only way ISIS will be defeated is if the countries neighboring Iraq take command of their fate and work together to fight ISIS.

The U.S. will not defeat ISIS on its own.

That’s a promise from me.

What the U.S. needs is help from Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Iran, and other nations affected by ISIS. A victory can be accomplished but more than one party is required. When Turkey and the other nearby nations realize the true threat ISIS poses to their citizens, they must then step up, take command of their region and protect themselves and others from the tyranny and barbarism of ISIS.

But let’s say that doesn’t happen.

Let’s say the U.S. ends up on her own. The only thing that will eliminate ISIS is the very troops that held that region together. The very same ones we brought home from the hellhole that is Iraq. Sorry America, the truth hurts. Ground forces are the only way to effectively fight ISIS and I suspect a great number of people already know that. If no other nations volunteer in the fight against terrorism, the U.S. will have to once again take the role of the world police, the babysitter, the caretaker. I hope they step up. The world needs those nations to stand up for their citizens and secure their own freedom and liberty from religious extremism. I want President Obama to hold his promise, keep our troops home, and get those nations on board in the fight against ISIS. But if that doesn’t happen, the U.S. will not defeat ISIS with the current battle plan. I just hope President Obama sees the inevitable fate that will result from his foreign policy before it becomes reality.

Photo Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/soldiersmediacenter/1413001230