Head of U.S. Central Command Warns ‘Underlying Conditions Remain’ for Revival of ISIS

U.S. Central Command’s Gen. Frank McKenzie has no rose-colored glasses when it comes to the complex challenge of defeating the Islamic State. In fact, he knows it’s “not going to go away.” . . .

McKenzie told the United States Institute of Peace Wednesday that his aim is to prevent ISIS from again holding territory, hand over responsibility to local Armed Forces, and prevent displaced and marginalized people from radicalizing. . .

“The way that we contribute actually is we buy time,” McKenzie said. “If we can keep the situation relatively stable, then our diplomats have an opportunity to work the problem.”

With Iraqi diplomats entering their third month of negotiations with the U.S. regarding a status of force agreement for hosting troops in Iraq, McKenzie is confident that enough U.S. troops will remain and that Iraq will see the need.

“The underlying conditions that allowed for the rise of ISIS remain,” he said. “They continue to aspire to regain control of physical terrain.” (Read more from “Head of U.S. Central Command Warns ‘Underlying Conditions Remain’ for Revival of ISIS” HERE)

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