Commentary
Marwan Muasher
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Source: Getty
In The Media
Regional Countries Must Take Important Role in Fight Against ISIS
While the Islamic State can be defeated militarily, the United States and regional countries will need to prevent the creation of more groups like it in the future.
Published on Sep 23, 2014
Source: CNN’s Lead with Jake Tapper
During an interview with CNN’s Lead with Jake Tapper, Carnegie’s Marwan Muasher said that because the United States does not have a good record of intervention in the Middle East, it is important that regional countries take an important role in the fight against the Islamic State. Muasher said that he does not think regional countries would participate by sending their armies into another Arab territory, but they could contribute to the military campaign by providing airbases, logistical support, intelligence, and using their leverage with Sunni tribes to convince them not to support the Islamic State.
Muasher emphasized the importance of focusing on the political and cultural fight against the Islamic State. While the group can be defeated militarily, he argued, the United States and regional countries will need to take steps to prevent the creation of more groups like the Islamic State in the future.
This interview was originally aired on CNN’s Lead with Jake Tapper.
About the Author
Marwan Muasher
Vice President for Studies
Marwan Muasher is vice president for studies at Carnegie, where he oversees research in Washington and Beirut on the Middle East. Muasher served as foreign minister (2002–2004) and deputy prime minister (2004–2005) of Jordan, and his career has spanned the areas of diplomacy, development, civil society, and communications.
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Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
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