McCain, Graham: Administration has no plausible strategy to destroy ISIL

U.S. Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Lindsey Graham. R-S.C., released the following statement today on the terrorist attacks in Brussels, Belgium:

“Our deepest condolences are with the loved ones of those killed in the terrorist attacks in Brussels and with all the people of Belgium. We are praying for the recovery of the more than a hundred wounded in these attacks and for the safety of the first responders putting their lives on the line.

“The horrific attacks in Brussels were sadly predictable. And they are a reminder of what should by now be painfully obvious: the United States and Europe are at war with ISIL. We have seen attacks on a civilian airliner in the skies of Egypt; on cafes, concert halls, and stadiums in the streets of Paris; on a community center in San Bernardino; and now on a train station and an airport in Brussels.

“There should be no doubt that ISIL poses a real, direct, and growing threat to the United States. ISIL remains in control of its sanctuaries in Iraq and Syria. It is expanding across the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia and radicalizing terrorist recruits in the United States and Europe.

“Yet after allowing the ISIL threat to grow and strengthen for years, the Administration still has no plausible strategy to destroy ISIL on anything close to an acceptable timeline. We need a strategy to destroy ISIL, not ‘ultimately,’ but as quickly as possible. Time has never been on our side in this conflict, and the failure to recognize the urgent realities of the war against ISIL will carry a grave price for our nation and our people.”