Some advances

There have been some advances in the war against IS in Syria and Iraq over the past year. Airstrikes have limited IS's progress and, in some areas, driven them into retreat or underground.

The use of drones has been effective in targeting key IS leaders, but Hydra-like, replacements succeed them.

The greatest success has been in the north of Iraq, where the Kurds have fought to reclaim their ancient lands. The lesson is that airstrikes alone will not defeat IS.

There are two broad purposes of fighting a war. One is to successfully prosecute the conflict until peace can be achieved. But IS is not interested in a peaceful compromise. It has proclaimed a caliphate, attracted fighters from many parts of the world, and is intent on domination.

A concerted campaign by coalition special operations forces is required to defeat IS.

This leaves the other purpose: to defeat the enemy.

Leadership opportunity


As an ally and friend of the American people, and a member of the coalition fighting IS, Australia has an opportunity to engage in greater leadership.

Our efforts in training Iraqi forces is commendable, but insufficient. The Advise and Assist missions have also been useful, but more is required.

There are options to the alternatives of either maintaining current efforts or a full-scale invasion of Syria that we should suggest to the US.

First, no matter how much the West loathes President Putin, it should co-operate with him to defeat IS.

Secondly, the idea of removing Assad should be postponed until and unless there is a credible alternative. Surely we should have learnt by now that removing a dictator without having an achievable plan for a viable alternative leaves a vacuum that enemies like IS will fill.

Thirdly, a concerted campaign by coalition special operations forces and related personnel is required to defeat IS.

For far too long, we have operated under the misapprehension that IS is an unsustainable ragbag army. To the contrary, many are experienced fighters, who are well-financed, agile and disciplined. They are also driven by an ideology that glorifies martyrdom and aspires to domination.

The West cannot drift along for another year. It needs a clear strategy to defeat IS and a willingness to win.

Kevin Andrews is a former minister for defence.