Strictly Rhetorical Question: Why Does the Media Not Report That ISIS Was Defeated in Iraq and Its Capital City of Raqqa in Syria Has Been Captured by US-Allied Troops?

I would imagine for much the same reason the media is silent on the economy.

Though this is consistent: after all, the media was largely silent on the economy and ISIS under Obama, too. For different reasons, of course.

Trump needs to give a primetime address or something to note these things. I guess he can wait until the State of the Union, but...

Remember how debates about ISIS dominated the presidential primaries? Remember how Donald Trump and Ted Cruz ratcheted up their rhetoric until they both seemed to promise that they'd commit war crimes like carpet bombing and torture to defeat the deadly threat?

ISIS was often the most important and most prominent story in the world. Now, however, the caliphate is a smoking ruin. It courted conflict with the great powers. It craved Armageddon, and it got its wish.

No one knows ISIS's exact casualty figures, but its fighters have died by the tens of thousands. I’ve spoken to men who were directly involved in the air campaign, and they have told me that the public doesn't yet understand the sheer scale and ultimate effectiveness of the American attacks. Yes, we withdrew from Iraq too soon. Yes, our counteroffensive against ISIS unfolded slowly.

But we fought back, we trained and equipped allies, and we won.

This is one of the best stories of the young Trump administration. While many of the battles were fought under Obama, Trump pursued the enemy relentlessly. He delegated decision-making to commanders in the field, they fought within the laws of war, and they prevailed. Trump promised to defeat ISIS, and he has delivered a tremendous victory. Part of the blame still rests with us. Let's be honest: Panic and fear make for a better story than victory and peace.

So why isn’t this bigger news?

It's nice to see David French take a break from his daily meltdowns and write about actual news that's happening.

posted by Ace at 07:50 PM

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