Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush said that he would encourage U.S. military boots on the ground in the fight against the Islamic State, and could see America “possibly” working with Russia in efforts to stop the extremist terrorist organization.
“I would recognize the threat for what it is, Islamic terrorism, and create a strategy to defeat it not contain it,” Bush said Monday morning on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “We cannot do this by leading from behind, this requires American leadership, it doesn’t require us to be the worlds policemen. But it requires us to lead and were not doing that right now.”
When asked if he would be willing to send ground troops to fight the terrorist group, Bush replied, “absolutely we are.”
The former Florida governor added that he would have a clearly defined strategy, accomplish the mission then immediately pull out troops. Bush also added that if necessary he would consider “possibly” working with Vladimir Putin and forces in Russia in order to eradicate the Islamic State.
“Putin would have to change his policies in relation to Syria for this to take place,” Bush said, “I do think that Article 5 [of NATO] ought to be considered. If the French are asking for it we ought to consider that even without that though, the United States needs to show solidarity with our European allies across the board to create a more stable Europe and certainly to encourage them to be involved in the fight against ISIS.”
Article 5 contains the principle that an attack on one NATO member is an attack on all, and it has only been invoked once, in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
Former GOP presidential nominee John McCain also appeared on “Morning Joe” just before Bush, where he similarly called for “more boots on the ground” in Iraq in Syria. While he condemned President Obama’s approach to the war on the Islamic State, McCain said that he would happily help the president to create a strategy to fight the terror group.
