INSKEEP: Thanks for coming by.
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While addressing the House of Commons ahead of a vote on launching airstrikes in Syria, Mr Cameron referred to the jihadis as an “evil death cult”.
“Of course it’s a hard issue, but we’re not going to be sucked into the kind of open-ended intervention we saw in Iraq”.
The Tornados operate as part of the US-led coalition and are directed to targets from central command depending on which planes are in the vicinity and the weaponry on board. They will be arriving there in the course of the day.
Their use had been decreasing since April, with none at all used in September, though they were again used several times this month.
“Having heard David Cameron set out his argument in Parliament last week and studied his written briefing, I am far from satisfied that United Kingdom air strikes would help improve the situation either in Syria or enhance our security in the UK”. Now, they suggest that they support something else.
“It is a unique capability which we offer”. But we also bring some precision weapons which were not available inside Syrian territory.
North MP Penny Mordaunt has backed the outcome of tonight’s government vote paving the way for Britain to bomb Syria.
GWEN IFILL: In London, British Prime Minister David Cameron made his final appeal in Parliament to expand the current British air campaign in Iraq to Syria.
INSKEEP: Let me ask how involved Britain really is going to be.
In his statement, Obama also welcomed Germany’s announcement that it will commit up to 1,200 German troops to support coalition efforts to fight ISIS, including potentially deploying reconnaissance planes, tanker aircraft, and support for the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier in the Gulf.
“First, we will conduct a systematic campaign of airstrikes against these terrorists”.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said yesterday no foreign ground troops had been requested from any country and that their deployment would be considered a “hostile act”.
“Meanwhile, we will move forward with our plans, supported by bipartisan majorities in Congress, to ramp up our effort to train and equip the Syrian opposition, who are the best counterweight to ISIL and the (President Bashar) Assad regime”.
Police are continuing their manhunt to find suspected terrorist Salem Abdeslam, who is believed to be on the run after taking part in the attacks which claimed the lives of over 100 people – and injured many more. As your commander in chief, I will not commit you and the rest of our armed forces to fighting another ground war in Iraq.
INSKEEP: In about thirty seconds or so, do you feel that you have a strategy to win or that simply you are working your way toward, groping your way towards some way to deal with an incredibly complex situation?
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The debate in the House of Commons today is expected to continue until 10pm. “We are developing partnerships, although they are not strong as we want yet, with local tribes and Sunnis who are willing to fight ISIL”, he said. So it’s a comprehensive strategy. Not since the Gulf War has the United States been joined in direct military action by such a broad coalition of Arab partners.
