Tonight, the governments of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates joined the United States and several other nations in air raids against the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. My disdain for the oppression that many of these regional governments represent is only rivaled by my disdain for the Kharijite extremism that ISIS and its brethren represent - and the clear and present danger of witnessing such disturbing ideologies continue to recruit and to flourish worldwide. I see them in their beaming political and ideological hypocrisy as mere tools for this campaign, and I pray that when they are finished with ISIS, their people will deal with them decisively in finding either clear paths to reform or complete freedom - from decades of voiceless existence and bitter oppression - while living underneath them. ISIS, no matter its danger and brutality, does not have a monopoly on either. I likewise believe that we as a nation need continue to visit and revisit our global strategic interests, alliances, and actions - so as to ensure that they best align with our declared values - and to learn from poor strategies that continue to backfire. I continue to pray that civilians here in the United States and abroad are protected from any violent backlash from what has just begun. As protectors of each other, we must remain vigilant in the weeks, months, and years ahead.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 03:40:17 +0000
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