Obama: “Ideologies Are Not Defeated With Guns, They are Defeated with Better Ideas”
(Worthy News) – During a press conference, President Barack Obama said the Islamic State’s twisted ideology will not be defeated with guns, but rather they are “defeated with better ideas.”
“As I’ve said before, and I know our military leaders agree, this broader challenge of countering violent extremism is not simply a military effort,” Obama said. “Ideologies are not defeated with guns, they are defeated with better ideas — a more attractive and compelling vision.” [Quoted from the Press Conference at the 11 Minute Mark]
Obama said the U.S. will continue working with its global partners to “counter ISIL’s hateful propaganda, especially online.”
“We’ll constantly affirm through words and deeds that we will never be at war with Islam,” he added. “We’re fighting terrorists who distort Islam and whose victims are mostly Muslims.”
The Four Pillars of the U.S Strategy Against ISIL
1. A systematic campaign of airstrikes against ISIL
Working with the Iraqi government, the U.S. is expanding our efforts beyond protecting Americans and humanitarian missions, so that we’re hitting ISIL targets as Iraqi forces go on the offense. We are pursuing terrorists wherever they are, which means the President will not hesitate to take action against ISIL in Syria as well as Iraq. As he has said, “If you threaten America, you will find no safe haven.” As of today, we’ve launched more than 5,000 airstrikes against ISIL.
2. Increased support to forces fighting ISIL on the ground
The U.S. has sent a small contingent of service members to support Iraqi forces, including Kurdish fighters, with training, intelligence, and equipment. These American forces do not have a combat mission, but are providing the support needed for Iraqi forces to go on the offense. In Syria, we have ramped up our military assistance to the Syrian opposition, while pursuing the political solution necessary to solve Syria’s crisis once and for all.
3. Drawing on our substantial counterterrorism capabilities to prevent ISIL attacks
Working with our partners, we are redoubling our efforts to cut off ISIL’s funding, improve our intelligence, strengthen our defenses, counter ISIL’s warped ideology, and stem the flow of foreign fighters into and out of the Middle East.
4. Providing humanitarian assistance to innocent civilians displaced by ISIL
We cannot allow innocent communities to be driven from their homelands. The U.S. continues to provide much-needed assistance to Sunni and Shia Muslims who are at grave risk, as well as tens of thousands of Christians and other religious minorities. [ Source ]
💡 Did you know? One of the best ways you can support Worthy News is by simply leaving a comment and sharing this article.
📢 Social media algorithms push content further when there’s more engagement — so every 👍 like, 💬 comment, and 🔄 share helps more people discover the truth. 🙌