The Patriot Post® · Tackling Terrorism, Trump Style

Radical Islamist terrorism is one of the defining issues of this election, thanks in large part to the feckless “leadership” of Barack Obama. The Islamic State flourishes because, some might say, he founded it. Donald Trump laid out his strategy for combating this scourge in a major speech Monday. But first, he correctly assessed the situation: “The failure to establish a new Status of Forces Agreement in Iraq, and the election-driven timetable for withdrawal, surrendered our gains in that country and led directly to the rise of ISIS.” Exactly.

Better screening for immigrants, and particularly Middle East refugees, is a no brainer and Trump is right to address it. “In addition to screening out all members or sympathizers of terrorist groups, we must also screen out any who have hostile attitudes towards our country or its principles — or who believe that Sharia law should supplant American law,” Trump argued. “Those who do not believe in our Constitution, or who support bigotry and hatred, will not be admitted for immigration into the country.” His solutions are imperfect, but there are no perfect solutions.

The trouble for Trump is, as usual, himself. He has both favored and opposed the Iraq war, both encouraged and criticized withdrawal from it, called for and rejected involvement in Syria, and promised to be tough of the Islamic State while sitting back and letting Russia handle it. He has also dismissed NATO as irrelevant, but, in this speech, said it’s indispensable for defeating the Islamic State. Beating Hillary Clinton and her record on the issue of terrorism should be a gimme. She has been and will be horrible for American national security. If Trump can drive that home…