The Obama administration moved yesterday to secure military and financial backing from Arab leaders, European allies and the US Congress for the president’s pledge to defeat Islamist extremists in Iraq and Syria.
Ten Arab states, led by Saudi Arabia, announced during a visit by John Kerry, secretary of state, that they would join the US in a strategy to destroy the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, Isis, “wherever it is, including in both Iraq and Syria”. The US received early support from France and Germany, and the UK, although contradictory statements in London left the full extent of Britain’s participation unclear. Administration officials briefed members of Congress ahead of a vote, expected next week, to approve extra funding to train so-called moderate Syrian rebels to help in the fight.
The administration believes that it needs clear political backing at home and the support of Sunni regimes in the region to prevent Isis from framing the conflict as a clash between Islam and the west. “We [cannot] take the place of Arab nations in securing their region,” Mr Obama said in a speech to the nation on Wednesday. He said the US would broaden its air attacks against Isis forces in Iraq and was ready to conduct air strikes in Syria.