Durbin: ISIS airstrikes different than past conflicts

Posted on February 9, 2015

By John Gregory/Illinois Radio Network

CHICAGO – Jordan’s airstrikes on ISIS militants are a sign this conflict will be different from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

Jordan claims dozens of bombing runs over the weekend killed as many as 7,000 ISIS militants based in Syria. Their involvement has prompted the United Arab Emirates to resume its participation in airstrikes on ISIS. Durbin says the more nations in the Middle East attacking ISIS, the better

“We tried in Iraq and Afghanistan to export our great military force and control the situation with limited success and dramatic cost,” Durbin said. “Now what we’re trying to do is find those nations that are willing to step up and fight for security and stability in their own region and help them.”

Jordan has promised to continue striking ISIS targets as retaliation for militants burning a Jordanian pilot while he was trapped in a cage.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…