Kirk: Airstrikes Might Not Be Enough In Iraq

John Gregory -- Illinois Radio Network

U.S. Sen. Mark S. Kirk (R-Ill.) doesn’t believe limited air strikes will be enough to defeat militants in Iraq.

The attacks against the group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have so far been limited to hitting the group’s supplies. Kirk says that won’t change the country’s political situation, but he stops short of calling for ground troops, an option he doesn’t believe President Obama would consider.

“Under this president, there’s no chance of any boots on the ground going into Iraq,” Kirk said. “He feels that the unpopularity of the Iraq War as the key to his election, and I think he’s going to (listen) to the American people on that point.”

Kirk is worried about ISIS becoming more powerful, saying the group could be a threat to homeland security if it takes control of parts of Iraq’s oil drilling operations.