Yesterday, September 10, President Barack Obama gave a speech outlining a plan against ISIL, some of which Alaskan Sen. Mark Begich disagrees.
In his plan the President gave four main actions:
1. Using airstrikes against the terrorists while working with the Iraqi government
2. Increasing support to forces fighting on the ground, while ramping up military assistance to Syrian opposition,where he called on Congress to support additional resources to train and equip those fighters
3. Cutting off funding to the terrorist organization, improving intelligence in the region as well as strengthening defenses
4. Continuing humanitarian assistance
Sen. Begich stated today that he did not agree with additionally arming Syrian opposition.
Sen. Begich: “I’m concerned and I’ve said I oppose the President’s idea of funding these rebels because I dont’ know, at the end of the day, weapons they may get from the U.S., will the fall into the wrong hands? I mean, 12 months ago or so ISIL was part of these rebels and who knows what could have happened if we would have funded weapons back then, so I’m very concerned about the President’s proposal of funding and arming the rebels I think the air strike’s an international effort I’m supportive of.”
He added that more middle eastern countries should be stepping into leadership roles in crises like these.
In regards to the President increasing forces on the ground, Begich said he has heard from Alaskans time and time again that is not acceptable.
Sen. Begich: “What he’s talked about is “advisers” which I can’t tell you the details because I was in a top secret briefing earlier today but I can tell you that several of us raised concerns about what does that mean? Now who do you have to have down there to protect those advisers who are doing work? All of that gets convoluted and I think I’m very concerned about the increasing advisers which could lead to combat troops which I oppose, I think that would be a big mistake.”