During Senator Bernie Sanders’ speech Thursday afternoon, the senator took a considerable amount of time outlining what he believes should be done about ISIS.
Sen. Sanders agrees with many who say that the U.S. should play a roll in eliminating the terrorist organization, but he also advises that the heretofore uninvolved countries of the Middle East must do their part to take in refugees, fight ISIS, and prevent the spread of terrorism through a closer surveillance and vigilance regarding Islamic State radicals.
“But let’s be very clear. While the U.S. and other western nations have the strength of our militaries and political systems, the fight against ISIS is a struggle for the soul of Islam, and countering violent extremism and destroying ISIS must be done primarily by Muslim nations – with the strong support of their global partners.”
“What does all of this mean? Well, it means that, in many cases, we must ask more from those in the region. While Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, and Lebanon have accepted their responsibilities for taking in Syrian refugees, other countries in the region have done nothing or very little.
Equally important, and this is a point that must be made – countries in the region like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE – countries of enormous wealth and resources – have contributed far too little in the fight against ISIS. That must change.”
“All of this has got to change. Wealthy and powerful Muslim nations in the region can no longer sit on the sidelines and expect the United States to do their work for them.”
Senator Sanders encourages the U.S. to put aside its differences with Russia, Iran, and Saudia Arabia in order to fight a common enemy. It is not solely the responsibility of the U.S., or even the West as a whole to take out this organization; It must be an effort on a global scale.
Read Senator Sanders entire speech here.