The introduction of American military personnel to Iraq is a “gesture” that will not make a “meaningful difference” on the ground, says Edward Peck, former chief of the US mission in Iraq.
“On the basis of my own experience in Iraq, and I was in Baghdad just three years ago for a meeting of the Arab League, that the situation is well past the point when America can really do anything meaningful,” Peck said in an interview with Press TV on Thursday.
He made the remarks when asked about a White House statement Wednesday that President Barack Obama has authorized sending “up to 450 additional military personnel” to Iraq at the request of Baghdad.
The new military “advisers” are expected to work with Iraqi forces to “improve their ability to plan, lead and conduct operations” against ISIL terrorists in eastern Anbar Province.
Obama has also ordered "the expedited delivery of essential equipment and materiel" to Iraqi forces, according to the statement.
“The addition of 450 American ‘trainers’ won’t make any difference, I’m afraid,” Edward Peck said. “I wish it could. I’d hope it would. But I don’t think it will.”
The former diplomat said many people in the Middle East view the US involvement in Iraq and elsewhere as “counterproductive.”
“Mr. Obama’s gesture is a gesture satisfying some people and upsetting others, but I don’t think it is going to be that important either way,” Peck said.
At the G7 summit in Germany earlier in the week, Obama said that his administration does not yet have “a complete strategy” against the ISIL terrorist group.
Obama’s admission, which came nearly 10 months after he ordered an open-ended air campaign against the Takfiri group, has sparked strong criticism from a number of lawmakers and officials who framed his leadership as ineffective.
On the sidelines of the conference on Monday, Obama met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to discuss the approach against the terrorist organization.
The US president reiterated his administration’s pledge to step up training and assistance to Iraqi troops so they can carry out offensive operations against ISIL.
"The challenges we face continue to be significant," he said. "We have seen successes, but we have also seen setbacks."
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