Hagan Questions Military Leaders on Plans to Defeat ISIS

Press Release

During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Kay Hagan, Chair of the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, questioned Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey about their plans to deal with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

"I am pleased that the strategy the Administration has developed for defeating ISIS includes training and equipping the moderate Syrian opposition," Hagan said. "This is something I have pushed for for over a year, in part to prevent a power vacuum among the rebels that would allow a group like ISIS to gain strength. Airpower alone, while important, does not win a conflict like this."

Among her questions to Secretary Hagel and General Dempsey, Hagan focused on what the Administration's plan is to attack and disrupt the funding streams that support ISIS and pressed the witnesses for details about the leadership of the moderate Syrian opposition that the U.S. and its allies plan to train and equip. Additionally, Hagan expressed concern about radicalized Westerners, and even Americans, currently fighting with ISIS and how recruitment efforts by ISIS and other terrorist groups could be stopped.

Hagan reiterated her support for arming the moderate Syrian rebels and empowering the people of Syria to take control of their future.

"It is critical that the people of Syria have an alternative other than ISIS, or other radical terrorist groups like it, or the Assad regime. While a strong moderate military force is essential, success on the battlefield can only set the conditions for a political solution in Syria," added Hagan.

Source