Hagel: ISIL strategy will not impact Asia-Pacific pivot

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-GU) attended Friday a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee to discuss the Obama administration’s strategy for the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant , or ISIL. The congresswoman applauded the President for his four-point strategy to defeat ISIL. She underscored the importance of this week’s debate on the authorization of force against ISIL. She indicated that ISIL could become a direct threat to the United States or our allies in Europe and that we must make efforts to avoid that threat from becoming immediate. Bordallo also indicated that learning from the lessons of previous conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan indicates that we cannot leave a power vacuum that would further degrade the security situation. As such, she believes it is more important than ever that to form coalitions and bring in partners when taking on threats of this nature. There is a growing frustration by the seeming lack of interest by allies in the region to address their own immediate security concerns.

During the hearing, Bordallo also asked Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel about the administration’s continued commitment to the rebalance strategy in light of efforts to degrade and destroy ISIL. Hagel assured Bordallo that the administration remains committed to the rebalance strategy and that operations in the Middle East will not detract from this effort.

Said Hagel: “Our efforts against ISIL will not affect our commitment to Asia- Pacific, as the President has made very clear. That commitment, that rebalancing will continue. And I think we have, over the last couple of years, in particular, have made great progress as we have enhanced our relationships and partnerships in your part of the world. And very much appreciate Guam’s role in—in all of this because you, you are a key, key area, and the people that you represent, I want to also thank for their hospitality to all of our men and women who serve there.”

“I appreciate Secretary Hagel’s assurance of the Administration’s continued commitment to the rebalance strategy,” said Bordallo. “We have taken significant steps forward on this effort over the last several years, and there are many key provisions in this year’s NDAA that will build on this progress. As our nation works with a global coalition to degrade and defeat ISIL, I appreciate that our administration will also remain focused on ensuring stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region.” (PR)