(Video above: Congressman Byrne discusses ISIS with national security experts)
Congressman Bradley Byrne and former Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Michael Vickers both managed to get a “Roll Tide” into the Congressional record on Tuesday while discussing the United States’ plan, or lack thereof, to defeat the so called Islamic State in Syria and throughout the Middle East.
Byrne said he has noticed his constituents’ reluctance to get involved in the Syrian conflict turn into a sense of urgency to address the spread of radical Islamic terrorism in the region, which has also spilled over into the West. But the south Alabama congressman also said residents of the Yellowhammer State only want the U.S. to get engaged if it has a winning strategy.
“I’m from Alabama. We believe in winning,” Byrne said. “We know you can’t win unless you’ve got the right coach. Roll Tide… And that coach has got to have a plan. That plan has got to be a plan to win. And you’ve got to train the team to win on that plan. My constituents come to my town hall meetings and say, ‘Where’s the plan — the winning plan?’ This president has not articulated a plan at all, whether it’s a winning one, or not.”
Byrne asked former Undersecretary Vickers what a winning strategy to defeat ISIS in Syria might look like.
“First, as an Alabama grad, let me say ‘Roll Tide’ back at you,” he began.
He then went on to say he believes it is important for the United States to deny radical Islamists a sanctuary in Syria, which will reduce the terror risk, but added that any winning strategy will ultimately hinge on whether stable governments are installed throughout the Middle East.
“The problem is just too big for a single knockout blow,” he concluded, urging members of Congress to view the Global War on Terrorism as a series of campaigns, from Syria, to Iraq and Libya, and other regions where terrorist forces have flourished in recent years.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford also chimed in, saying he believes the United States has theoretical goals it is trying to reach in Syria, but has not developed tactics to reach that goal.
“The biggest problem with our Syria policy is we have a strategy to get to a new national unity government, but we have no tactics to get there,” he said. “It’s, like, a hope, a wish. And it’s been a wish since 2012. We’re not getting any closer, frankly. The Russian intervention probably pushes it even farther back.”
Ford said winning tactics in Syria would have two notable components.
First, it would include indigenous ground troops.
“(This force would need to be) able to eventually grind out the Islamic State, and other extremists,” he told Congressman Byrne.
Second, Ambassador Ford said it is necessary to have government leaders in the region promoting “reconciliation,” rather than division.
“We are seeing that emerge in Iraq,” he said, “but we are nowhere near it in Syria.” He also added that the Obama administration has declined to put pressure on regional powers to enter serious negotiations.
Byrne said he believes the current efforts to relocate Syrians away from the region are going to make it difficult to rebuild the country.
“Shouldn’t we be pursuing a policy that brings these people back to Syria, or closer to Syria so they can take part in rebuilding the country?” He asked.
Ambassador Ford said the United States must first deal with the bombing from the Assad regime and the threat of ISIS before people will be convinvced to return to their towns, but noted that “having refugees in camps indefinitely, even near Syria… where there is no hope, breeds resentment and helps the Islamic State recruit.”
Byrne’s full Q&A with Undersecretary Vickers and Ambassador Ford can be viewed in the video above.
