Resources and reluctance
Mideast states could offer support to a U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State, though some, like Jordan and Turkey, are wary of taking an active role
BEIRUT — If Arab states, plus NATO member Turkey, join a coalition to take on Islamic State militants, they bring both formidable weaponry and some hesitation about participating in an American-led fight. Here’s a look at what they could offer:
GULF STATES
Oil-rich U.S. allies in the Gulf, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have some of the region’s best-equipped militaries and could provide air support. They operate Westernmade fighters like the F-15 and F-16, attack helicopters such as the AH-64 Apache, and transport and refuelling aircraft. Continued access to Gulf military bases and permission to operate from them will also be key, even if host countries are reluctant to acknowledge their facilities are being used. Some U.S. missions over Iraq are being flown out of al-Udeid airbase in Qatar and from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush in the Persian Gulf. The U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet is based in Bahrain, and Western navy vessels frequently dock at Emirati ports such as Dubai’s Jebel Ali. Kuwait was the main staging ground for the 2003 U.S.led invasion of Iraq and it continues to host American troops.
JORDAN
Jordan hosts a clandestine U.S.led program that trains a limited number of Syrian opposition fighters. Fayez al-Dwairi, a former Jordanian army general and military analyst, says the kingdom won’t agree to an active military role in a coalition, but could offer intelligence co-operation and put its airfields and army bases at the disposal of U.S.-led forces. Al-Dwairi says Amman could use its relations with top Sunni tribal leaders in Iraq and Syria, many of whom are now based in Jordan, to help create local forces among the tribes to fight back against the Islamic State militants.
TURKEY
The only NATO member in the Mideast mix, Turkey is important because of the access it lends to the territory controlled by the Islamic State group in northern Syria and northern and western Iraq. Ankara could make use of its modern army and air force, offer deeper co-operation with its intelligence service (which has been on the front lines of the Syria conflict for years) and allow the use of Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey for strikes. Turkey appears reluctant to take a prominent role for two reasons: the Islamic State group holds dozens of Turkish hostages; and Ankara is concerned about the advance of anti-Islamic State Kurdish forces in Syria and Iraq.
EGYPT
Egypt’s contribution likely would be more on the ideological and logistical fronts. The Sunni world’s most prestigious learning institute, Al-Azhar in Cairo, and Egypt’s prominent Dar el-Ifta, have spoken out against the Islamic State, an important step in peeling away some of the extremists’ self-declared religious credentials. Egypt could facilitate the passage of coalition aircraft through its airspace and serve as a source of intelligence and political cover.
IRAQ
The U.S. began conducting airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq a month ago, and expanding that limited operation is Obama’s focus. The Iraqi military almost collapsed in the face of the Islamic State blitz across the country in June. The armed forces have hung together since then, but have proven unable to roll back the extremists. Baghdad largely has relied on Shiite militias to do much of the heavy lifting on the front lines, though these same groups fought the U.S. for years and have been accused of committing atrocities, making them unlikely allies for America. The U.S. is already co-operating with Iraq’s Kurdish Peshmerga forces, though they have been largely outgunned by the militants and need the U.S. and allies to accelerate weapons deliveries.