After a classified Armed Services Committee briefing today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern, South and Central Asian Affairs, issued the following statement on the situation in Iraq:
The security situation in Iraq is extremely troubling, but not surprising. The war in syria is exacerbating the situation in Iraq and has allowed the Al Qaeda off-shoot, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), to grow uncontrolled. That is why I have been such a vocal proponent of ending the humanitarian crisis in syria and changing the balance of power on the ground to force a resolution.
In Iraq, hopefully this is a wake-up call for Prime Minister Maliki who has practiced exclusive politics, contrary to U.S. counsel. He needs to engage immediately in a multi-pronged approach to address the ISIL threat, which includes a commitment to political inclusion, targeted security operations against ISIL targets, and a pledge to protect all Iraqi citizens. The United States should work with allies and regional partners to provide appropriate support once there is a commitment from Maliki to this set of principles.
I strongly recommend the Administration develop those proposals and consult with Congress in short order.
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