Strong action needed now against ISIL

It seems our Washington leadership has found something it can agree on — national defense.

Since the 9/11 attacks that we observed the 13th anniversary of Thursday, the threats to America have been transformed for the large part. Rather than facing off against nations, our biggest threats are coming from faceless, borderless pockets of evil that are out to force the rest of the world to believe as they do. Rather than allegiance to nation, these militants are bound by ideology of hate and their twisted interpretation of religion.

On Wednesday night, President Obama told the nation that America would protect itself, but it also would require that those who want to ally with us to take lead roles in quashing threats that are further destabilizing the Middle East, a region that is barely stable on its best day to start with.

For the most part, we think the president did a good job of stating his case, though there was a contradiction of sorts when he said that America would do what it had to in order to protect itself, but then stated there would be no U.S. troops’ “boots on the ground” in the battles in Iraq and Syria, where the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant has taken terrorism to a new level. As commander in chief, Obama has the right to determine whether to send troops into a battle zone, but making it clear that doing everything doesn’t include “everything” America can do may have sent a mixed signal. Some cards are best kept close to your vest.

Still, it appears the Obama administration has done a good job of lining up allies. Reports Thursday noted that Secretary of State John Kerry had support from 10 Arab nations for a “coordinated military campaign” against ISIL.

Georgia’s two U.S. senators have voiced their support. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Moultrie, vice chairman of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Wednesday night, “After calling on the president to take additional actions against ISIL, I am encouraged by his statement this evening and his willingness to take strong action to defeat ISIL. Tonight, the president has announced the United States’ willingness to lead a coalition to destroy ISIL, and I support these efforts. Now is the time for our allies in the Middle East to step up and help us rid the region and the world of the threat this group poses. We cannot afford to rule out military options or allow ISIL to make any further progress. Our unequivocal and unrelenting goal must be to pursue these terrorists wherever they go and destroy them.”

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Marietta, said Thursday, “The president has finally realized the gravity of the situation and I was proud to see him take a firm stand last night. I hope his actions follow the strong words of his speech as we begin the tough and difficult job of financing, funding and carrying out the destruction of ISIS. Now is the time for swift and decisive action to send a bold message to all terrorist groups that we will not equivocate when it comes to protecting our homeland.”

A year ago, this would have been a tougher sell to the American public, which is weary of war after more than a decade in Iraq and Afghanistan. But after seeing an ISIL murderer — speaking with a British accent — decapitate two U.S. citizens, there were some realizations. First, these people are murderers, pure and simple. Second, they may already walk among us.

It’s clear that these rattlesnakes will strike and will be patient in waiting for the chance. We must deal with them decisively now, or we will be dealing with them on our homefront later.

— The Albany Herald Editorial Board