Levin: US, allies ‘cannot defeat ISIS alone’

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) on Monday pushed President Obama to build a broad coalition to fight the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and urged Iraqi leaders to form a unity government.

“I support President Obama’s undertaking a comprehensive effort to confront the ISIS threat in Iraq and Syria,” said Levin, back from a trip to Iraq, in a statement. “But we and our Western allies cannot defeat ISIS alone.”

{mosads}Levin said that Baghdad’s political leaders “must make good on their promise to form an inclusive government that puts the good of the Iraqi people ahead of narrow sectarian interests.”

“Military success against ISIS even in the short run is unlikely,” he added, if Sunni Arabs are not meaningfully included in a new unity government

Levin’s comments come as the administration and intelligence officials prepare to brief House and Senate lawmakers on ISIS.

President Obama will meet with Tuesday afternoon with Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (D-Ky.). On Wednesday, the president will roll out his strategy against ISIS.

Secretary of State John Kerry said that NATO nations had agreed in principle to work together against the terror group after a summit in Wales this weekend. Kerry is also traveling through the Middle East to drum up support.

Levin on Monday said that other nations in the region, alongside Iraq, must “visibly participate if action against ISIS is to succeed.” 

He said lawmakers could add extra heft to ongoing efforts to build a broad front by giving the administration their support.

“I hope the seriousness of the ISIS threat will encourage members of both parties to unify in this important cause,” he said.