Amazing what can be done with a sincere effort.
ISIS was on its heels and retreating for quite some time; it was always our policy to have Iraqis and Kurds take the lead, which gave the whole thing more legitimacy. We always were in an advising and air-support role. From Obama to Trump.
The only thing that changed was an alteration of the ROE that relaxed the rules about targeting, allowing a higher tolerance for civilian casualties. As a result, Raqqa fell a bit faster, but many more innocents died. Maybe thousands, but probably hundreds.
That’s it. All major operations were already planned out by January 2017.
I know a little about this.
The results prove you wrong.
but Obama didn't authorize the plan because a few of his admin people against the plan that requires to arm Kurds, other admin officials support the plan to arm Kurds. After last NSC meeting on mid Jan 2017, Susan Rice called Flynn for his opinion on the plan to arm Kurds who will be main force to attack ISIS capital Raqqa. Flynn told her "please don't approve it". Flynn strongly against arming Kurds as a few of Obama admin officials did too.
Because Obama didn't authorize the plan, officially Obama has no plan. Trump admin think Obama administration had delayed authorizing the plan because they knew it was inadequate and did not want to be held responsible. To arm Kurds or not to arm Kurds, it' a tough decision. Obama admin, recommended to arm Kurds though, didn't make the call. Where to train Kurds, how to arm Kurds, how many U.S. military forces needed, the Plan has no details. Also, there is no plan B prepared.
(no message)
Link: https://www.politico.com/story/2015/06/obama-no-isil-strategy-118743
(no message)
As they should be...
Yup. No more ISIS. Little Hands said so and you bought it.