Hillary Clinton is planning a strong attack on ISIS. In a speech, given on Thursday at the Council on Foreign Relations, the Democratic presidential candidate detailed her plan to defeat the terrorist group if she is elected president.
"It's time to begin a new phase to intensify and broaden our efforts, to smash the would-be caliphate and deny ISIS control of territory in Iraq and Syria," Clinton said, according to Politico. "That starts with a more effective coalition air campaign, with more allied planes, more strikes and a broader target set. That starts with a more effective coalition air campaign, with more allied planes, more strikes and a broader target set."
Clinton also stated in her speech that the U.S. would lead the fight against ISIS with a combination of airstrikes and ground forces. "This is a time for American leadership. No other country can rally the world to defeat ISIS. Only the United States can mobilize common action on a global scale. The entire world must be part of this fight, but we must lead it," Clinton said, according to Politico.
While Clinton wants the U.S. to lead the fight against ISIS, she is not in favor of troops being on long-term deployments in Syria.
"That is just not the smart move to make here," the former Secretary of State said, according to Politico. "Local people and nations have to secure their own communities. We can help them and we should, but we cannot substitute for them."
Clinton also called on Arab nations to work to stop young Muslims from being radicalized.
"Once and for all, the Saudis, the Qataris and others need to stop their citizens from directly funding extremist organizations, as well as schools and mosques around the world that have set too many young people on a path toward radicalization," said Clinton, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Clinton sought to differentiate herself from her Republican opponents who want to stop Syrian Muslim refugees from entering the U.S., according to the New York Times.
"We are in a contest of ideas against an ideology of hate and we have to win. Let's be clear, though: Islam itself is not our adversary. Muslims are peaceful and tolerant people and have nothing whatsoever to do with terrorism," Clinton said, according to the New York Times.
