Liberals take right approach in fight against ISIS

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The Liberal government’s change in strategic approach regarding its fight against the militant group Islamic State (also known as ISIS, ISIL or Daesh), as announced on Monday, is not only defendable but also desirable.

Every military expert interviewed since the launch of the air campaign by the U.S.-led coalition 18 months ago has stated unequivocally that, while airstrikes are helpful, “boots on the

ground” are indispensable in regaining lost territory and ultimately defeating the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

It makes sense then for the coalition to first and foremost equip, train, advise and assist Iraqi troops, Sunni militia fighters, Peshmerga forces and Free Syrian Army rebels fighting Daesh, especially since not a single neighbouring country or coalition member has so far engaged their own ground forces in direct combat, and rightly so.

If withdrawing Canada’s six CF-18s and using the estimated $243 million to $351 million a year saved in incremental expenses for such purposes was justifiable prior to last fall’s terrorist attacks claimed by ISIS, it is doubly so now that the bombing tempo has picked up to the point of running out of credible targets.

Allied forces are dropping 30 per cent more ordinance per sortie now than they did on average in 2014-2015, amounting to over 30,000 bombing runs so far. In addition, France has brought into the theatre its flagship carrier Charles de Gaulle, tripling its aerial firepower following the Paris carnage that left 130 dead.

And Russia has entered the air war with a vengeance with hundreds of cruise missiles, long-range bombers, and MiGs, some of which is targeted at ISIS strongholds in Syria, after the downing of Metrojet flight 9268 over the Sinai that killed all 224 people aboard last fall.

However, there are other overarching reasons for refocusing the diplomatic and military effort on the local forces. The fight against ISIS must be led, and be seen to be led, by people from the area, not Westerners.

First of all, Iraqis and Syrians from all ethnic and religious groups must be the ones finding the political compromises necessary to live peacefully together, and then moving to implement and defend them. The mistreatment and massacre of Sunni Muslims in Syria and under former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki in Iraq following the American withdrawal in 2011, explains in good measure why ISIS was able to recruit former Sunni military commanders under Saddam Hussein and has been tolerated by some in the Sunni communities in both countries.

Secondly, holding anti-ISIS strategy meetings that include only the Western powers of the “U.S.-led” coalition — such as the meeting in Paris, held last month, to which Canada wasn’t invited — plays to the jihadist false narrative of a clash between Christianity and Judaism, on the one hand, and Islam on the other, between Arabs and Europeans, indeed between civilizations, and acts as a powerful recruitment tool.

Finally, focusing on the CF-18s and other military aspects neglects the equally if not more crucial political and humanitarian fronts.

Again, nearly all experts agree that a military solution alone will not defeat ISIS and other jihadists in the region and abroad. Intelligence gathering, countering extremist propaganda and recruitment, reaching a ceasefire and regime change (or at least a change in government) in Syria and strengthening Iraqi governance, equity and security for all its diverse communities are indispensable.

Canada has the diplomatic standing and ability to contribute substantially in these areas, bilaterally and in co-operation with like-minded allies, both above and below the radar.

In addition, its enhanced humanitarian contribution will go a long way in filling the minimum of US$9 billion in aid needed in 2016 alone for refugees and internally displaced persons in the region who have had little hope and help since the start of the Syrian conflict in April 2011, forcing many to flee to Europe and elsewhere.

The good news is that the coalition’s overall strategy seems to be working, albeit slowly. ISIS is presently losing more territory than it is gaining in Iraq and Syria. Canada’s new policy will speed up these positive developments and ought to be supported.

Robert M. David teaches at the School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa. He was a federal Liberal candidate in 2009 and 2011. The opinions expressed in this article are entirely his own.