Let me explain. When the two forces are separate, when isil is at some geographic separation from the Iraqi Security forces, it is not very difficult at all to discriminate between the targets. Isnt our problem when they are not out in open space and we have to distinguish between civilian targets and military targets that our people are very effective at that . Absolutely. If we get into a circumstance where the forces are very intermingled then the target discrimination becomes more difficult. This isnt a light switch. There are technologies available that allow us to actually apply force and to see the situation on the ground in ways we couldnt before. Im not walking away from what i said. If we get to the point where i think we need with the Iraqi Security forces i will make the recommendation. You do not think we need that at this time . I do not. What was general austins opinion on this . On the dam operation, the one i described earlier which was very complicated, as much by the
Highways, plumbing, electricity in the wall, nitrogen fixing fertilizers, vaccines, clean water available with the turn of another near home. When all these things appear what is undeniable and really apparent immediately thereafter is a wave of improvement and wellbeing for people. Vast portions of the population start getting better, also all kinds of things are opened up. I was certain now was going to happen with digital networking, but it is not exactly the way things went. Starting around the turn of the century i started to notice a pattern that was really bothering me which is that my friends who worked in the industries that were most affected by digital networking first, and im thinking of musicians and journalists and photographers, were not finding the world of new opportunity that i had for so long anticipated would appear. Instead i ended up almost every week having to be part of a fundraiser to help somebody get a crucial operation in needed and they did not have insuran
Tactically we have to get enough of the Iraqi Security forces to go from defense to offense, to put it about as bluntly as we can. As we do the government of iraq has to fill in behind that. So to be candid there is some risk here that the three big risks that i would mention to you are if the government of iraq fails to become inclusive and though the signs are promising they havent yet fully delivered. Second, if a coalition forms but doesnt have endurance because this is going to take several years. And then the third risk is retribution. When we encourage and assist the iraq Security Forces to regain lost territory we have to be alert for the fact that unless the government of iraq is there to embrace the people and ensure that they Work Together there could be retribution on the part of those who may have been seen as complicit with isil. So we have some challenges ahead. We are open eyed to them. I think we have a Good Campaign plan. I follow up on that. You have significant expe
Other than combat capable. But thats different than how we use them. And in the case of our contributions in iraq right now, the airmen as the Ranking Member mentioned are very much in the combat role. The folks on the ground are very much in it a combat advisory role. They are not participating in direct combat. I mentioned if i found that circumstance evolving that i would change my recommendation. An example. If the Iraqi Security forces were at some point ready to could very well be part of that particular mission to provide close combat advising or accompanying for that mission. But for the daytoday activities that i anticipate will evolve over time, i dont see it to be necessary right now. One of the presumptions, and ill just raise it, would be because we are using air power that there is sufficient capacity in the iraqi forces to coordinate that air power on the ground. Is that the issue youre looking at . Dam t me use the mosul operation as a great example of that. The counter
Were tapping into the Global Resources of cnn to bring you the very latest on all of this breaking news this morning. Lets begin with pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr. We had weeks of calm in afghanistan, we thought the turmoil there was political. And now a deadly blast in the heart of the capital. What do we know . It seems to never end. Nato alliance is saying that three members came under, three military members of the alliance came under attack and were killed in a suicide bomb attack in kabul. Pictures show smoke filling the sky, the aftermath of the attack, as is nato practice at this point. Are not identifying those who were killed or their nationalities, but it is the latest attack in the capital where they are struggling still in that government to select a new leader for that country. Chris in. I know we keep saying it, barbara, about situations being one to watch, but afghanistan could very easily go the wrong way very quickly so we will keep watching that. Now take us