U.S. President Barack Obama Speaks At A Meeting
President Barack Obama is going to disclose his top strategy to wipe out ISIS from earth. Reuters

Signalling the frustration with Obama administration's almost "dud" ISIS offensive, Republican leader John McCain criticised the Obama administration for its poor results. Mr. McCain said it is the Islamic State (ISIS) that is winning in Iraq and Syria, and not the United States. He asserted that unless ground troops are deployed it will be hard to stave off a defeat.

McCain called for a "fundamental re-evaluation" of the U.S. strategy, as the extremist group is continuing to surge into the Kurdish town of Kobani in Syria, and also towards the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, reported Guardian. McCain told CNN that "they are winning. Not Iraqis or Peshmerga Kurds."

Obama Defended

However, Susan Rice, National Security Adviser to the White House defended Obama's strategy and ruled out any dramatic change. Rice said the campaign is still in the early stages and noted that the President had already said it will be a long-term action. Rice told NBC that the U.S is confident that it can "degrade and ultimately destroy" the ISIS.

Despite the official assertions, Obama's offensive to "degrade and ultimately destroy" Islamic State has already completed one month now, without any tangible results. In fact, many share the thinking of Mr. McCain. The air strikes are looking weak and ineffectual. Despite the air strikes, ISIS looks undeterred and acting as invincible. They seemed to have made new gains in both Syria and Iraq, against the West and allies.

The ISIS dared the West with its attack on the strategically important Kurdish town of Kobane in Syria that is bordering Turkey. It was attacked by armed ISIS fighters after besieging the town from three sides. Though coalition air strikes barely delayed the town's fall by a few days, Kobane has been falling into the Sunni militants' hands. It could have been made a glorious case of Coalition's resistance to the Sunni radicals and asserted a demonstrable victory.

This was despite Turkey, armed with a vote in the parliament on Oct. 2, authorising president Recep Tayyip Erdogan to join the anti ISIS campaign. The Turkey president used the mandate for a juggling act. He had tanks parked all along the border. But Erdogan refused to help the Kurds and treated them more like enemies, reported Business Insider.

Turkey's Arm Twisting

When an important partner like Turkey is offering rhetorical support without any serious action, the coalition gets into disarray. Turkey is bargaining for a buffer and no-fly zone on the Syrian side of the border. Also removal of Assad regime in Syria is its top priority than weakening the ISIS.

After Tueky upset the U.S, the Assda factor continues to divide the coalition. Although it wants to see Mr. Assad out, the U.S knows its success in Iraq depends a lot on the good will of Shiaite Iran, which is Assad's closest ally. With allies like Erdogan sitting passive, not using own troops to stop ISIS or helping America to fly from its NATO airbase Incirlik McCain can only hope to feel more frustrated.