U.S.-led coalition needs to take back Mosul and Raqqa: Carter

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The U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State needs to take back the cities Mosul and Raqqa and will use "boots on the ground" as part of its strategy in doing so, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Friday.

"We need to destroy them in those two places, and I'd like to get on with that as soon as possible," Carter, speaking from Davos, Switzerland, said in an interview on CNBC.

He said the coalition is using raids and bombs to take control of the routes between the two cities and cut off communication between them.

"That'll essentially separate the Iraqi theater from the Syrian theater," he said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mi...Name=worldNews


Amid ISIS Fight in Iraq, US To Put 'Boots On The Ground,' Says Pentagon Boss Carter

http://www.ibtimes.com/amid-isis-fig...carter-2276310

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Re: U.S.-led coalition needs to take back Mosul and Raqqa: Carter

Russia and U.S., While Pushing for Peace Talks, Jockey for Position in Syria

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/22/wo...yria.html?_r=0

Syria opposition rules out talks before end to Russian air raids

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mi...Name=worldNews

Kerry says effort and good faith could lead to lifting of sanctions on Russia
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-da...Name=worldNews

Russia voices anger at U.S. treatment of honorary consuls
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ru...Name=worldNews

Little side note...and yeah it is Debka Premium but statement says a lot.

US Must Now Fight to Save “Landmark” Nuclear Accord from Iran’s Mistrust - January 21, 2016, 7:08 PM (IDT)

To save the nuclear accord, the US must fight Iran’s avowed mistrust and resist its attempts to collaborate with Russia to push the United States out of the Middle East.

[SAT]

Re: U.S.-led coalition needs to take back Mosul and Raqqa: Carter

A slightly different tone starting to emerge???

U.S. military urges 'decisive action' against Islamic State in Libya

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-us...Name=worldNews


US forces now authorized to fight ISIS in Afghanistan

http://rudaw.net/english/middleeast/22012016

US urges Arab nations to boost fight against Isis

US defence secretary Ashton Carter called on Arab countries to contribute more to the military campaign against Isis as he insisted the US-led coalition was building “momentum”.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f3c316e8-b...#axzz3y0AUh6Xa

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Re: U.S.-led coalition needs to take back Mosul and Raqqa: Carter

Side note but important.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi Says Iraq Plans to Seek IMF Loans

Iraq plans to seek $6 billion to $7 billion in loans from the International Monetary Fund, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said, as plummeting oil prices have left the government desperate for outside help to finance its costly war against Islamic State

http://www.wsj.com/articles/prime-mi...ans-1453506033

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Re: U.S.-led coalition needs to take back Mosul and Raqqa: Carter

Syria peace talks falter as army presses Aleppo

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mi...Name=worldNews

Russia scolds UK's Hammond for saying Putin fanning Syrian civil war

Hammond told Reuters in an interview on Monday that Putin was strengthening Islamic State militants on the ground by bombing President Bashar al-Assad's opponents, who the West hope can shape Syria once Assad is gone.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mi...Name=worldNews

NATO strikes Islamic State radio station in Afghanistan, as U.S. ups campaign

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-af...Name=worldNews

DEA uncovers major drug trafficking by Hezbollah to fund global terrorism

http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/DEA...rrorism-443575

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Re: U.S.-led coalition needs to take back Mosul and Raqqa: Carter

Britain says Russia trying to carve out mini-state for Assad in Syria

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mi...Name=worldNews

[SAT]

Re: U.S.-led coalition needs to take back Mosul and Raqqa: Carter

Saudi Arabia ready to send ground troops to Syria, official says

A Saudi military spokesman said Thursday the kingdom is ready to send ground troops to Syria to fight Islamic State group provided coalition leaders agree during an upcoming meeting in Brussels.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...ticle28552650/

Russia and Turkey trade accusations over Syria

Russia said on Thursday it suspected Turkey was preparing a military incursion into Syria, as a Syrian army source said Aleppo would soon be encircled by government forces with Russian air support.

http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKCN0VC169