Former secretary of state Henry Kissinger says the beheading of American journalists by ISIL terrorists is an insult to the United States and calls for a “strong attack” on the group.
“They have cut the throat of an American on television. This is an insult to the United States, which requires that we demonstrate that this is not an act that is free,” Kissinger told NPR.
“I would strongly favor a strong attack on ISIS for a period that is related to the murder of the American,” he added, using another acronym for the terror organization.
The terrorist group executed two US journalists after President Barack Obama last month authorized airstrikes against ISIL positions in Iraq.
James Foley and Steven Sotloff were both beheaded in two videos released by the Takfiri group. Both of them were abducted in Syria.
In the second video, Sotloff was being held at knifepoint by an ISIL militant against a desert backdrop. He addressed the camera and described himself as “paying the price” for Obama’s decision to attack the group.
Meanwhile, Obama will meet with top congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday to discuss ways on how to confront ISIL.
In August, Obama authorized a limited airstrike campaign against the militants.
The White House announced that it did not need congressional approval because the bombings intended to protect American personnel and facilities.
President Obama is considering whether to launch strikes against the terror network in Syria.
“I think when we are dealing with a unit like ISIS, we should not get into a position where they can lead us by establishing ground forces. But we should set strategic objectives where we thwart any goal they set themselves, which we should be able to do by superior air power,” Kissinger said.
“And then, if we can enlist other countries, or other more local groups to do the ground fighting, we might actually destroy them,” he added.
Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday the United States has forged a coalition of NATO allies ready and able to defeat ISIL within three years.
“We’re convinced that in the days ahead we have the ability to destroy ISIL,” Kerry said in Wales, where he was attending a NATO summit along with President Obama. “It may take a year, it may take two years, it may take three years. But we’re determined it has to happen.”
Ministers from Britain, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, Turkey, Italy, Poland and Denmark met with Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on the sidelines of the NATO summit.
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Kissinger blasts beheading of journalists, urges strong attack on ISIL
Former secretary of state Henry Kissinger says the beheading of American journalists by ISIL terrorists is an insult to the United States and calls for a “strong attack” on the group.
“They have cut the throat of an American on television. This is an insult to the United States, which requires that we demonstrate that this is not an act that is free,” Kissinger told NPR.
“I would strongly favor a strong attack on ISIS for a period that is related to the murder of the American,” he added, using another acronym for the terror organization.
The terrorist group executed two US journalists after President Barack Obama last month authorized airstrikes against ISIL positions in Iraq.
James Foley and Steven Sotloff were both beheaded in two videos released by the Takfiri group. Both of them were abducted in Syria.
In the second video, Sotloff was being held at knifepoint by an ISIL militant against a desert backdrop. He addressed the camera and described himself as “paying the price” for Obama’s decision to attack the group.
Meanwhile, Obama will meet with top congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday to discuss ways on how to confront ISIL.
In August, Obama authorized a limited airstrike campaign against the militants.
The White House announced that it did not need congressional approval because the bombings intended to protect American personnel and facilities.
President Obama is considering whether to launch strikes against the terror network in Syria.
“I think when we are dealing with a unit like ISIS, we should not get into a position where they can lead us by establishing ground forces. But we should set strategic objectives where we thwart any goal they set themselves, which we should be able to do by superior air power,” Kissinger said.
“And then, if we can enlist other countries, or other more local groups to do the ground fighting, we might actually destroy them,” he added.
Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday the United States has forged a coalition of NATO allies ready and able to defeat ISIL within three years.
“We’re convinced that in the days ahead we have the ability to destroy ISIL,” Kerry said in Wales, where he was attending a NATO summit along with President Obama. “It may take a year, it may take two years, it may take three years. But we’re determined it has to happen.”
Ministers from Britain, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, Turkey, Italy, Poland and Denmark met with Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on the sidelines of the NATO summit.
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