U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly is providing insight into a few issues facing congress.
Indiana’s Democratic Senator spoke with reporters on Wednesday afternoon during a conference call to address expanded mental healthcare for former and active military service members.
While U.S. combat missions have been publicly limited to air strikes, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) continues to present challenges in the region. Donnelly says at this time he would not support involving ground troops in the situation.
“I think any American troops that would be in the area, are there to help train, are there to help instruct, are there to help plan, but they will not be in the fight,” says Donnelly.
So-far-as the Senator is concerned, this is a problem of sectarian antagonism.
Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki was partially tasked with easing tensions between the Republic’s Sunni and Shiite populations. He is considered by many U.S. officials to have failed in this respect.
Donnelly says he doesn’t believe stemming the rise of ISIS is something American ground troops can solve.
“This is something that we can work together with our friends to drive ISIS out of the region – which we can do and will do to work with our friends,” says Donnelly.
Some of those partners include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iraq, among others.
Donnelly has said in the past the U.S. should consider pursuing ISIS into Syria if necessary.
