Several Republican candidates for president on Saturday accused President Barack Obama and his former secretary of state, Democratic Party front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton, of failing in the fight against Islamic State militants as the terrorist attacks in Paris became a focal point of the nomination race.
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“The skies have been darkened by the horrific attacks that took place in Paris just a day and a half ago”, Obama said after meeting Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. He then adds, “and if we had better leadership, help them”.
Mike Huckabee wrote that “we’re dealing with a threat to western civilization”. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, another Republican presidential candidate, voiced similar concerns on Fox News.
“In an interview taped Thursday for ABC News’ This Week, portions of which aired Friday morning, Obama said the US has “contained” the Islamic State from making territorial gains in Syria and Iraq”. Lindsey Graham and – maybe – Kasich. “There’s a 9/11 coming and it’s coming from Syria if we don’t disrupt their operations coming from Syria”.
“I hope the French will invoke Article 5”, Graham said on Sunday.
“These attacks underscore that we are facing an enemy who is fierce, who is relentless, who is at war with us even if our own president doesn’t understand that it is at war with us”, he said.
Article 5 of the NATO treaty states that an attack on one member of the alliance is considered an attack on all members.
IAN LANGSDON/EPA Bullet holes are seen in the terrace windows of Cafe Bonne Biere, as people lay flowers and candles in front, in Paris. The terror attacks on Friday left 129 people dead and 352 injured.
Rubio called for “significant” American involvement, but wouldn’t commit to any particular number of troops on the ground. “That’s the only way I can put it….” “And ISIS has adapted”.
“We all have heart and we all want people taken care of, but with the problems our country has, to take in 250,000 – a few of whom are going to have problems, big problems – is just insane”. She also slammed Obama over his comments right before the attack that ISIS had been “contained.”
The escalation of attacks has gradually caused other bordering nations to either get involved in the fight against Islamic State or ramp up attacks, including Russian Federation who, many claim, are only there to provide support for Assad, despite the growing consensus by Western governments that he should be removed.
“We’re going to do whatever it takes to work with the French people and with nations around the world to bring these terrorists to justice, and to go after any terrorist networks that go after our people”.
But none of the other Republicans used the Paris attacks to offer a case on improving American security like Christie, who energized the room of hundreds of Republicans.
“I think the time is too serious and the moment too grave to be giving off the cuff remarks today”, said Governor Chris Christie about changing his speech overnight.
The Islamic State’s attacks on Paris have certainly dominated the news cycle, causing a few citizens in Lebanon to question the value of Arab lives, which is detailed in The NY Times.
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“In a blessed attack for which Allah facilitated the causes for success, a faithful group of the soldiers of the Caliphate, may Allah dignify it and make it victorious, launched out, targeting the capital of prostitution and obscenity, the carrier of the banner of the Cross in Europe, Paris”, reads the message ISIS posted Saturday on Telegram, which has been translated by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors the jihadist threat. We’ve gone through these kinds of episodes ourselves. “Turkey would also. But we’ll have to be part of that force”.
