US plans a network of bases from N Africa to Afghanistan to counter ISIL
As ISIl continues to expand by attracting Islamist groups throughout the Islamic world, the US will likely build a network of bases to counter them. Afghanistan will be a hub to fight not only in Afghanistan and Pakistan but also in Central Asia, though this is largely Russian turf. Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan, will be another. The bases will almost certainly increase religiously-based resentments over foreign intrusions. They also point out the incompetence of many governments from N Africa to Central Asia.
US offers more aid to Baghdad government
The battle of Ramadi is proceeding amid Iranian-Russian efforts to push the US out of Iraq – or at least the shrinking parts of Iraq that Baghdad controls. The US wishes to retain influence in that rump state and has offered to increase its aid to the Iraqi army in the Ramadi fight by offering support from attack helicopters and ground advisers. The latter are described by Sec Def Carter as being embedded in Iraqi units.
Meanwhile, ISIL continues to attack Iraqi troops with large car and truck bombs. The tactic was very useful in taking Ramadi last May, routing Iraqi troops with huge blasts. The US has given Iraqis AT-4 anti-tank weapons that will enable soldiers to destroy oncoming vehicles. ISIL is pretty much encircled and badly outnumbered at Ramadi, but they will fight to the last in the hope of inflicting egregious casualties on the Iraqi forces and demoralizing them.
Saudis underscore their demand that Assad must go
As preliminary talks to end the Syrian war proceed, the issue of Assad’s remanning in power stands out. Iran insists he stays. Saudi Arabia insists he goes. Russia and the US seem to have flexibility own the issue. Assad has repeatedly and deliberately bombed civilians and used chemical weapons. There might be people even worse than he inches government, though. So, removing him is no guarantor of progress.