Australia ready as Henry Kissinger calls for all-out attack on Islamic State

HENRY Kissinger has urged US President Barack Obama to “launch an all-out attack” on terrorist group the Islamic State.

HENRY Kissinger has urged US President Barack Obama to “launch an all-out attack” on the Islamic State terrorist group, warning that Americans have ­become “bystanders” in the Middle East.

The former US secretary of state said airstrikes should be of “limited duration as a punitive measure” and “not make any distinction between Syria and Iraq”. “There can’t be any debate any more about fighting them,” he said.

Dr Kissinger accused Mr Obama of failing to appreciate that other countries yearned for American guidance in the Middle East and other crisis areas.

“We don’t have the power to impose our preference, but without us, and without some leadership from us, the new order cannot be created,” he said. “That I think has not (been) understood.”

He said Mr Obama “has not understood all the currents that need to be dealt with” in the world.

During last week’s NATO summit in Wales, Britain and the US announced a 10-nation ­coalition to “degrade and ultimately destroy” Islamic State.

The criticism of Mr Obama by Dr Kissinger will increase pressure on the White House to order military action in Syria and Iraq.

“In my view, this should have happened already,” Dr Kissinger said.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said on Friday that Australia was prepared to offer military assistance for a US-led campaign of airstrikes as soon as a formal request was made, but joined the US and Britain in ruling out combat troops on the ground.

It is expected Australia will commit to providing air support and potentially special forces, which are not considered combat troops.

Tony Abbott said at the weekend that Australia had made “no specific decision to join a military response” to the jihadists, but “will do what we can to help”.

“We’ve certainly received no specific request as yet. We’ve made no specific decision to join a military response, we have not,” he said.

British Prime Minister David Cameron will this week start drumming up support from Arab countries for airstrikes.