The Biggest Challenges to Taking Down Islamic State

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In The Media

The Biggest Challenges to Taking Down Islamic State

The biggest challenge facing the United States in taking on the Islamic State will be going beyond degrading and attacking its military capabilities.

By Frederic Wehrey

Published on Sep 11, 2014

Source: Bloomberg TV

The biggest challenge facing the United States in taking on the Islamic State will be going beyond degrading and attacking its military capabilities, said Carnegie’s Frederic Wehrey on Bloomberg TV. It will include the long term challenge of setting the political conditions on the ground to ensure that this movement doesn’t grow back, he argued.

While U.S. President Obama has stressed the importance of local governments to lead this effort, Wehrey contended that Arab participation will be symbolic in purpose. In terms of real combat capabilities, he said, the United States is going to carry most of the burden.

This interview was originally aired on Bloomberg TV.

About the Author

Frederic Wehrey

Senior Fellow, Middle East Program

Frederic Wehrey is a senior fellow in the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where his research focuses on governance, conflict, and security in Libya, North Africa, and the Persian Gulf.

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