U.S. airstrikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria are proceeding despite intelligence gaps that inhibit the Pentagon's ability to determine their effectiveness, according to a published report.
The Associated Press, citing current and former U.S. officials, reported Wednesday that the Defense Department is relying on satellites, drones and surveillance flights to pinpoint targets for airstrikes, as well as assess the damage afterward and determine whether civilians were killed. Officials say that system stands in sharp contrast to the networks of bases, spies and ground-based technology the U.S. had in place during the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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The U.S. military says airstrikes have been discriminating and effective in disrupting an Al Qaeda cell called the Khorasan Group and in halting the momentum of Islamic State militants. But independent analysts say the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, remains on the offensive in Iraq and Syria, where it still controls large sections. And according to witnesses, U.S. airstrikes have at times hit empty buildings that were long ago vacated by ISIS fighters.
The group has begun adapting to U.S. airstrikes by seeking to conceal itself, move at night and blend in with civilians, Pentagon officials say.
"They're a smart adversary," said Air Force Maj. Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, briefing reporters at the Pentagon this week.Read the rest of the story HERE and watch a related video below:
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4 comments:
From the title here it could be assumed that speaking of intelligence gaps could with a snap judgement, lead one to believe this was an article on the current administration. Have never seen a bigger intelligence gap than that.
Obama left the Benghazi crime scene un-investigated. Obama assigned his Attorney General to investigate himself. Obama has a long trail of GAPS.
For example, the gap in his head that says self defense isn't a right. He cannot protect human rights if he is that willingly ignorant and lacking of intelligence or common sense.
Hey Charlie, obama is missing / has "lost" volumes of IRS emails about his abuse of U.S. citizens and free speech that all the experts tell obviously DO exist. Face it, because most Americans have. Obama is untrustworthy to the max.
That obama IRS email gaping "gap" also shows a lack of intelligence, pun intended.
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