Killing the IS requires neither more nor less than waging war (snip) in the dictionary meaning of the word. To make war is to kill the spirit as well as the body of the enemy, so terribly as to make sure that it will not rise again, and that nobody will want to imitate it.Codevilla argues we can get the Saudi and Jordanian air forces to do most of the bombing. He also believes that the Shia militias will finish up what the Sunni air arms begin. I have little faith in either outcome.
That requires first isolating the Islamic State politically and physically to deprive all within it of the capacity to make war, and even to eat. Then it requires killing all who bear arms and all who are near them.
I reluctantly conclude most of the killing will have to be done by our legions, led by a commander-in-chief with no stomach for the fight.
