A worrisome statement

In the history of America’s interventions overseas, there are times when people have said that there won’t be boots on the ground, that it won’t be necessary to deploy troops—until for one reason or another, it becomes necessary.

So far, President Barack Obama’s strategy against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) does not appear to be an exception. The president assured the American people in his message to the country that his focus won’t require troops, comforting a public who is tired of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, the facts on the ground rather than a plan developed at a desk define reality.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, explained yesterday to a Senate committee what would make it necessary for American troops to go to combat. Those scenarios are not so remote.

For example, if a U.S. pilot gets shot down and captured, according to Dempsey, that would be a reason to send soldiers on a rescue mission, with all the dangers it entails.

Nevertheless, what was more worrisome was the general saying that he will ask to send troops to Iraq if the air strategy to “degrade and destroy” ISIS does not yield results.

Not too many people are confident that just bombing Islamic extremists can defeat a force of almost 30,000 fighters that is well armed, has money and controls territory comparable to the state of Massachusetts.

The current goal is to have 1,600 military advisors to help Iraqis fight against ISIS. This personnel that supposedly won’t enter into combat might need to do so—Dempsey said—in cases like the retaking of Mosul, which is now in the hands of ISIS.

The past reminds us that not much is needed for a military conflict to escalate. According to Dempsey, Obama said he will make decisions on a case-by-case basis.

While developing the strategy for Afghanistan, the Obama administration clashed with the Pentagon in its strategy to use more troops and be more aggressive. The president prevailed at that time.

Dempsey’s comment to the Senate reminds us that the military is ready for combat; that is their job. The White House, which the commander in chief presides, is the one that should keep a cool head and protect soldiers from wars that are not very clear