Inside Story

Clinton v Trump: Does either have a plan to beat ISIL?

Both US presidential nominees agree that the group is a threat, but does either have a viable strategy to defeat it?

Both US presidential nominees agree that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) armed group poses a threat to America and the world, but disagree on how to beat it. 

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump blames his rival, Democrat Hillary Clinton, and President Barack Obama for the rise of ISIL. He’s also criticised NATO for not doing enough to fight “terrorism”.

So far, Trump has not outlined a detailed plan to fight ISIL.

But he has said that he’s willing to work with Russia in Syria, rather than alienate it.

Clinton supports intensifying air strikes on the group’s fighters, and going after its leaders.

She says fighting in Syria and Iraq has contributed to ISIL’s spread, and insists that resolving those conflicts is key to beating the group.

According to Trump, Clinton’s plan for Syria could lead to World War III. He says the focus needs to be on ISIL, not on Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad.

Does either US presidential candidate have a viable strategy to defeat ISIL?

Presenter: Dareen Abughaida 

Guests:

Mark Jacobson – Former senior adviser to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter

Fawaz Gerges – Professor of international relations at the London School of Economics, and author of  ISIS: A History

Robin Simcox – Margaret Thatcher Fellow at the Heritage Foundation.