We’re not going to be restricted by borders, says Obama aide
Provoked by the savage killing of American journalist James Foley, the United States has let it be known that it is “actively considering” the launching of airstrikes in Syria in a bid to knock out the core of the ISIS, which it regards as the most dangerous terrorist outfit right now.
“If you come after Americans, we’re going to come after you wherever you are, and that’s what is going to guide our planning in the days to come,” US Deputy National Security Adviser Benjamin J. Rhodes said late on Friday, making it clear that Washington is “not going to be restricted by borders” to deal with such a threat.
Preparatory to what might well be the first American military offensive in Syria, something that Obama has avoided thus far through three years of civil war in that country, the US intelligence is reported to be in the process of gathering information on locations of “high-value” ISIS targets in Syria.
Indicating that the Obama administration is looking beyond the current airstrikes within Iraq’s borders, Rhodes said: “If we see plotting against Americans, see a threat to the United States emanating from anywhere, we stand ready to take action against that threat.”
He termed Foley’s execution a “terrorist attack” against the United States, noting: “When you see somebody killed in such a horrific way, that represents a terrorist attack – that represents a terrorist attack against our country and against an American citizen.”
Rhodes’ comments at Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, where President Obama is currently vacationing, come close on the heels of the Pentagon assessment that defeating ISIS would necessarily involve going after its leaders in Syria.