White House: French airstrikes impossible without U.S. help
The White House defended the administration's approach toward fighting the Islamic State on Wednesday, claiming that the "only reason" that France has been successful in carrying out strikes on the terror group in Syria is because President Barack Obama ordered an investment in military and intelligence in September 2014.
"And it is only because of the significant investments that this president made and ordered, in terms of collecting intelligence, carrying out military airstrikes inside of Syria — that is what allows France to now ramp up their contribution to our effort and to carry out some strikes themselves," Earnest said, speaking from Manila, where the president is attending an economic summit. "We certainly appreciate the contribution from our French allies, but none of this would be possible without the logistical support, the air refueling and the intelligence that's been collected by the United States."
In his interview with "Fox and Friends," Earnest explained that the U.S. is not yet cooperating militarily with Russia, but steps were taken to ensure that efforts were "deconflicted with ours."
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/french-airstrikes-white-house-obama-216009#ixzz3rrM3SDlC
http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/french-airstrikes-white-house-obama-216009