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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.

published by
Bloomberg TV
 on September 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.

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.