Simpson says US strategy against ISIS won’t work

Congressman Mike Simpson weighed in on the fight against ISIS, or ISIL, when he stopped by Local News 8 on Thursday.

He said although he doesn’t agree with all of the president’s plans in Syria, he doesn’t want boots on the ground there either. But he also sees another potential problem:

“That’s the other problem. If ISIL were to win, if Assad were to fall, and ISIS stepped in and took Syria, the next county to go would be Jordan. Then they’re on the doorstep of Israel,” he said. “That’s a big concern for all western countries because if they attack Israel, we’re involved.”

Simpson says the whole situation is a nightmare. He says when al-Qaida disowns ISIS as too radical, you’ve got a problem.

The Idaho Republican also gave a dim view of Obama’s strategy.

“How can the president six months ago say arming the Syrian rebels is a fantasy and then say it’s essential part to trying to defeat ISIL? How can he say ISIL is a serious and immediate threat to the U.S., but we’re not going to put boots on the ground? ” he said. “I don’t want boots on the ground, but if it’s a serious threat to our country, you do what you have to do to take them out. I don’t see a strategy here that’s going to work.”