Washington--A year after Islamic State jihadists overran much of Iraq, the United States and its allies are struggling to turn the tide against the extremists and their self-declared "caliphate."
As it tries to lead an unwieldy international coalition, Washington has pleaded for patience but has yet to arrive at a successful formula that can cripple the well-funded, opportunistic jihadists in Iraq and Syria.
President Barack Obama's strategy -- a combination of US-led air power with advice and weapons for local forces -- was supposed to stop the onslaught and buy time for an eventual push to roll back the jihadists.
There have been some modest victories, including in the defense of the besieged northern Syrian town of Kobane and most recently in Tikrit, north of Baghdad.
But the IS group shows no sign of weakening and has seized yet more territory in recent weeks.
"Realistically our strategy is to contain ISIL (IS) right now," said David Barno, a retired general who once led the US war effort in Afghanistan. "And I don't think we're succeeding at that."
The jihadists have no shortage of money, weapons or recruits and they have proven brutally savvy about exploiting the Sunni-Shiite sectarian divide plaguing Iraq and the region.
"This is an organization that's on the move. It's got momentum. It's building," said Barno, now based at American University. "All the conditions for it to expand are present."
The IS group's capture of Ramadi in Iraq's Anbar province last month -- against a larger foe backed by the world's most powerful air force -- represented a stunning defeat for the Iraqi army and the US-led coalition's campaign.
But despite the rout, Obama has made clear he is sticking with his strategy -- one that rules out any ground combat for American soldiers.
AFP
