theage.com.au:
There are two stories, both compelling narratives, competing for attention here in the Middle East. The first is tactical and simple. It revolves around the dominance of airpower and the slowing of the advance of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
So far, the 1999 air campaign against Slobodan Milosevic remains the only conflict that was resolved by bombing alone. Not even the most slavish adherent of airpower doctrine believes the current demonstration of international resolve over Iraq is enough to defeat IS – alone. Achieving this will eventually require “boots on the ground”. The feet don’t necessarily need to belong to coalition soldiers, although that would probably help. But what’s far more critical is the presence of some ground/air controllers providing accurate and timely targeting for the aircraft circling above.
Categories: Arab World, Australia, Europe and Australia, Extremism, Fundamentalism, Middle East, Opinion