The
daily reports are clear. They point to a recent succession of military gains by
the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS), both in Syria and Iraq. As I see it, that
terrorist group is stronger today than some weeks back. Its ongoing offensives
on different fronts show vitality which can only result from new resources,
including fresh money and weapons as well as a mass of additional recruits.
The
other side of the coin is about weakness. Those opposing IS are today weaker.
The
moderate groups in both countries first. They are losing ground and
credibility. They have demonstrated they do not have enough vigour to take care
of this major challenge. More than ever it is now obvious they necessitate a
great amount of external support.
The
raids also show that the Western strategy against the terrorist organisation is
not working. It has to be revised immediately. Its revision has to focus on a
much stronger involvement in the region, through additional deployment of
special force units and better coordination among them, more effective and better
shared intelligence, and a closer alliance with the Middle Eastern States that
oppose IS.
I
recognise that a deeper military engagement in Iraq and Syria is a complex and
costly matter. But political hesitation is no longer a solution in this case.
Public opinion is prepared, in our part of the world, for a serious increase of
our military assistance to those who can be our regional and local allies in
this combat. We just have to ensure that the alliances are clear and strategic,
meaning, they should aim, above everything all, at destroying the IS threat.
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