Hillary Clinton on U.S. Strategy Against ISIS

TL;DR

Hillary Clinton outlines a comprehensive strategy to combat ISIS, emphasizing the need for a coalition air campaign, intelligence surge, and support for local ground forces. She underscores the importance of disrupting global terrorist networks and enhancing homeland security while maintaining humanitarian values in the face of terrorism.

Transcript

HAASS: Please be seated. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Mr. Mayor, welcome. I'd like to welcome you all to the Council on Foreign Relations. For those of you who do not know us, we are an independent, nonpartisan, membership organization, a think tank, and a publisher, dedicated to being a resource for our nearly 5,000 members, for government ... Read More

Key Insights

• ISIS is a multi-dimensional threat operating as a physical enclave, international network, and ideological movement.
• The U.S. strategy should focus on defeating ISIS in the Middle East, disrupting terrorist infrastructure globally, and hardening defenses at home.
• A coalition air campaign with increased intelligence and support for local ground forces is essential to defeating ISIS.
• Local and regional ground forces must be empowered to secure their communities, with U.S. support but not substitution.
• A political solution in Syria is necessary to address the civil war and enable Syrians to fight ISIS effectively.
• Global cooperation is crucial to disrupt terrorist financing and recruitment, with a focus on intelligence sharing and counterterrorism coordination.
• The U.S. must balance privacy and security concerns in counterterrorism efforts, involving collaboration with the private sector.
• Humanitarian obligations should not be compromised by terrorism, and the U.S. should lead in supporting refugees and stabilizing regions.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Hillary Clinton propose to defeat ISIS?

Clinton proposes a comprehensive strategy to defeat ISIS, focusing on a coalition air campaign, increased intelligence efforts, and support for local ground forces in Iraq and Syria. She emphasizes the importance of disrupting ISIS's global network and enhancing homeland security while maintaining humanitarian values.

Q: What role does Clinton see for local ground forces in the fight against ISIS?

Clinton believes local and regional ground forces must be empowered to secure their communities with U.S. support. She emphasizes that while the U.S. can assist and provide resources, it cannot substitute for local efforts. This approach aims to ensure sustainable security and stability in the region.

Q: Why does Clinton advocate for a no-fly zone in Syria?

Clinton advocates for a no-fly zone over northern Syria to protect civilians from Assad's airstrikes and create safe zones for refugees. She believes it would provide leverage in diplomatic negotiations and help stabilize the region, allowing more Syrians to join the fight against ISIS.

Q: How does Clinton propose to handle Syrian refugees?

Clinton stresses the importance of maintaining humanitarian obligations while ensuring rigorous screening and vetting of Syrian refugees. She opposes religious tests for refugees and advocates for international cooperation to support countries hosting large numbers of refugees, like Jordan.

Q: What is Clinton's stance on the involvement of Arab and Turkish partners in the fight against ISIS?

Clinton emphasizes the need for Arab and Turkish partners to take a larger role in the fight against ISIS. She calls for increased military, intelligence, and financial contributions from these countries, highlighting their critical role in stabilizing the region and countering ISIS's influence.

Q: How does Clinton view the relationship between Iran and ISIS in the Middle East?

Clinton views Iran and ISIS as interconnected challenges in the Middle East. She advocates for a comprehensive regional strategy that addresses Iranian influence while countering ISIS. This includes working with Arab partners to build confidence and counterbalance Iran's regional ambitions.

Q: What is Clinton's approach to counterterrorism on a global scale?

Clinton calls for a global counterterrorism strategy that includes disrupting terrorist financing, blocking foreign fighter flows, and contesting extremist ideology online. She emphasizes the need for international cooperation, intelligence sharing, and building a more effective counterterrorism infrastructure.

Q: How does Clinton address the balance between privacy and security in counterterrorism?

Clinton acknowledges the challenge of balancing privacy and security, particularly regarding encryption. She calls for collaboration between the government and private sector to develop solutions that protect privacy while enabling law enforcement to prevent terrorist communications and attacks.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Hillary Clinton emphasizes a multi-faceted strategy against ISIS, including intensified airstrikes, intelligence surges, and support for local ground forces. She stresses the importance of a political resolution in Syria and the need for a coalition effort to combat terrorism globally.

• Clinton highlights the necessity of disrupting ISIS's global network, focusing on foreign fighter flows, terrorist financing, and online radicalization. She calls for enhanced intelligence sharing and counterterrorism coordination with European and regional partners.

• Addressing homeland security, Clinton underscores the need for vigilance in screening refugees and maintaining humanitarian values. She advocates for a balanced approach to privacy and security, urging collaboration between government and the private sector.