In the wake of the ISIS attacks on Paris, Defense Secretary Ash Carter today announced a new specialized expeditionary force for Iraq and possibly for Syria. "These special operators will over time be able to conduct raids, free hostages, gather intelligence and capture ISIL leaders. This force will also be in a position to conduct unilateral operations in Syria. That creates a virtuous cycle of better intelligence, which generates more targets, more raids, more momentum."
Defense Secretary Ash Carter testifies before the House Armed Services Committee
about US strategy for Syria and Iraq, December 1, 2015.
DoD photo by Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz
Felicia Schwartz is security correspondent for the Wall Street Journal.