I've never felt so conflicted on where to go on an issue in my life I think. I think this is because I know that no solution with some sort of conclusive result is available or indeed proposed for use.
On one hand you can't leave ISIS as it is, it will mean prolonged suffering without an end for those who live under it. So some action against it is definitely needed. You can't leave the Russians to have at it, they will simply back Assad who himself has murdered many, and whose war is causing conditions in which ISIS like groups flourish. You can't have our solution only, it leaves out the Russians and Iranians, and ultimately hates but is deeply confused about Assad. Bombing will only do so much, the ground victories are where it counts, but troops on the ground from us will strengthen the ISIS cause and mean we will have to fight insurgencies again, especially if the whole nation building process is undertaken too, not to mention for ground intervention, I have not yet considered Russia or Iran, or Iran and Saudi/GCC angles. So then do we bomb without end indefinitely, which not only kills civilians, it creates situations in which sure, their troops die and their physical ability reduces, but their message and cause strengthen.
All this we've discussed without even considering, the Kurdish angle, and therefore the immediate future of said people with Turkey, Iran, Syria and Iraq. We've not mentioned the numerous other groups like Al-Nusra, various FSA factions, and many of whom are terrorists too.
This is easily the most complex war we've seen in our lifetimes. It is easy to support bombings, very easy. But I truly see no solution, even if by some miracle, bombings do exactly what we want them to do. The ultimate solution has to be realized with a consensus between neighbouring and regional powers, which is fraught with difficulty, the Saudis/GCC, the Iranians all hate each other, and if there is to be any effective intervention it will have to come from them. But not only do I doubt their ability to come together, I also doubt their competence in war.
One hell of a confusing war this is. I think any of our leaders that looks at this and says this is easy, is either lying or a clueless idiot, and in both cases they'd be doing a disservice to everyone involved, even if that everyone includes ISIS.
