U.S. forces join Philippine troops to end city siege

How does ISIS manage to send fighters and supplies across vast oceans from the Middle East to the Philippines without the massive security and intelligence apparatus of the US catching wind and stopping them?

Could ISIS really pull off this global reach without some kind of state support?

Are ya underestimating ISIS like everybody did?

Just kidding, ISIS is not sending anything.

These rebellions are already there. They already have their own established underground networks. All they did was pledge alliance with ISIS - and boom, they're ISIS. That doesn't mean ISIS begat them or supported them.

Besides, what makes ya think ISIS all the way from the Middle East is sending them anything? These rebellions have been surviving for decades because they can do these things on their own, even before ISIS existed. Give 'em a little credit - ya gotta think beyond ISIS, at a time before ISIS. They have their own history long before ISIS - not everything is all about ISIS. Check out their history pre-ISIS 2013.

Why didn't Duterte ask his new friend China instead of the Americans he seems to despise?

Kuya:

That sounds plausible to me but I have literally have not seen any news about that. Mind posting a link or two so I can read up? Thanks in advance.

Why didn't Duterte ask his new friend China instead of the Americans he seems to despise?

All the while that Duterte was talking smack about the US and getting people to focus on the apparent rift between the US and the Philippines, the Philippines and US were in treaty negotiations to expand and enhance the military cooperation between the two nations. Now the Philippines is inviting US forces into the Philippines to help defeat the expansion of ISIS into Central Mindanao and the Philippines as a whole.

Both the treaty negotiations and the request for US assistance are issues that would have faced some resistance domestically but pretty much got slid through while everybody was focused on Duterte's bluster.

Essentially, Duterte trolled his opposition with his own version of "fake news".

This story has zero visibility in mainstream US media. None. I wonder why?

If America can help the PH fight the ISIS invasion and subsequent occupation of big and beautiful Mindanao with even half the effort of what Russia is doin helping Syria then the 60 year old treaty is for real .

If you judge the American effort now in the battle for Marawi then one could say it's just an Eaglets whisper compared to the Russian Bears growl!

How do you feel about the Russians being in possession of the Kuril Islands?

So if they were there before Daesh, were they as horrible as they are now or they are no where near as bad as Daesh even after their pledge? Boko Haram claim allegence, but they are truly horrible.

Each group has their own story, so depends on the group, though typically the ones who align with ISIS are already as horrible, so they see themselves as brethrens.

But if they did claim allegiance, I would think Daesh would send some soldiers, if nothing else than as "technical support".

Daesh can't afford to send away material or personnel resources - they're fighting for their own lives. Especially the farther away, the riskier.

The groups can already survive on their own like they've always been doing (and they know their own local environments better), though they use the Daesh infamy to recruit more people.

Duterte and Trump have that authoritarian streak in them. It's not at all surprising he's changed his mind about US ties. He hated Obama but he's gone now and Trump has praised him; so all is good with the world.

Only M2 carbines and Glock 21 pistols!

In a recent ceremony the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) turned over to the Philippine Marines  300 M4 carbines, 200 Glock 21 pistols, 4 M134D Gatling-style machine guns, and 100 M203 grenade launchers. Last month JUSMAG delivered 25 brand new Combat Rubber Raiding Craft to the Philippine Marine Corps  Special Operations Group to help conduct anti-insurgent operations in the South.

The Philippines wants some American help, but not too much. They see this as their problem. They have some pride too.

Good to see this development.

Yay America!

I would prefer the US giving a little more then just "technical assistance", but I guess better then nothing. Hopefully they can get this under control quickly with low casulties.

"These rebellions are already there. They already have their own established underground networks. All they did was pledge alliance with ISIS - and boom, they're ISIS. That doesn't mean ISIS begat them or supported them."

So if they were there before Daesh, were they as horrible as they are now or they are no where near as bad as Daesh even after their pledge? Boko Haram claim allegence, but they are truly horrible.

But if they did claim allegiance, I would think Daesh would send some soldiers, if nothing else than as "technical support".

The PH-USA Mutual Defense Treaty is a big joke!

If America can help the PH fight the ISIS invasion and subsequent occupation of big and beautiful Mindanao with even half the effort of what Russia is doin helping Syria then the 60 year old treaty is for real .

If you judge the American effort now in the battle for Marawi then one could say it's just an Eaglets whisper compared to the Russian Bears growl!

Request for the Warthogs and Bradleys denied!

Only M2 carbines and Glock 21 pistols!

Maybe it's time for PH to sign a defense treaty with Putin and Abe!

No new defense treaty with the Philippines please. Definitely no troops. The Chinese are the country's new best friend. Let them help.