DefenceTalkThe campaign of air strikes against ISIS has now grown to include targets in Syria with support from several Arab states. And in their aftermath, the Administration has wasted little time in describing the effectiveness of these strikes in degrading ISIS capabilities and disrupting ISIS operations. However, this air-only strategy will never be decisive in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/destroying-isis-in-iraq-the-missing-element-60724/

DefenceTalkA lack of ground support for air strikes against Islamic State jihadists, and Turkey’s reluctance Turkey to step in militarily, have all but sealed the fate of the besieged Syrian border town of Kobane, analysts said Tuesday. The latest episode of the IS advance in Syria and Iraq has unfurled slowly and painfully in full […]https://www.defencetalk.com/too-late-for-syrian-border-town-as-air-strikes-fail-analysts-60701/

DefenceTalkHMS Defender has arrived on station to provide vital support to a US Navy carrier task group in the Gulf, using her world-class air defence weapon systems to protect the US Navy aircraft carrier, USS George H W Bush and her aircraft as they launch airstrikes as part of the international coalition against ISIL. HMS […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-deploys-type-45-destroyer-to-gulf-60680/

DefenceTalkOperations against the so-called Islamic State continue apace with 334 airstrikes against the terror group, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby told reporters at the Pentagon today. Those airstrikes, the admiral added, are causing the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant to change its tactics. Kirby briefed on the situation in Iraq […]https://www.defencetalk.com/airstrikes-causing-isil-to-change-tactics-60678/

DefenceTalkFollowing the Government’s decision to prepare to contribute to international led efforts to disrupt and degrade ISIL, the Australian Defence Force will now deploy approximately 600 ADF personnel to the Middle East. The Australian contingent will move to the United Arab Emirates where they will prepare to respond to future Government decisions regarding Iraq. This […]https://www.defencetalk.com/australia-sends-air-task-force-to-iraq-60575/

DefenceTalkThe United States will lead a broad coalition of nations to take the fight to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, President Barack Obama said in a nationally televised address tonight at the White House. The president vowed to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL, and added that he will not hesitate to target […]https://www.defencetalk.com/obama-announces-counterterror-campaign-against-isil-60548/

DefenceTalkSeven nations have joined the United States and the Iraqi government with pledges to provide arms to Kurdish forces in northern Iraq where they are battling terrorists from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said today. Albania, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Italy, France and the United Kingdom “have committed to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-seven-nations-pledge-arms-for-iraqi-kurds-in-fight-against-isil-60437/

DefenceTalkThough the United States must protect its people and is helping Iraq to face the threat posed by the extremist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, it is up to Iraq to do the heavy lifting, a senior Defense Department official said today. Elissa Slotkin, performing the duties of the principal deputy undersecretary […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iraq-must-do-its-heavy-lifting-pentagon-official-says-60250/

DefenceTalkPresident Barack Obama said Monday he had sent up to 200 US extra troops equipped for combat, with surveillance gear and helicopters, to protect the US Embassy in Baghdad. Together with a 275-strong embassy protection force already sent and another 300 US special forces charged with advising the Iraqi army, the deployment will mean nearly […]https://www.defencetalk.com/obama-to-deploy-200-extra-troops-to-iraq-59994/

DefenceTalkThe US military has started flying armed drones over Baghdad to defend American troops and diplomats as Iraqi forces took their fight against Sunni insurgents to the strategic militant-held city of Tikrit. Iraq’s top Shiite cleric urged the country’s leaders to unite, after Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki conceded political measures are needed to defeat the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-drones-over-baghdad-as-iraq-battles-for-tikrit-59987/