US Military Action In Iraq Crisis 'High Risk'

America says it is alarmed about what will happen next in Iraq but the question it is pondering is what role the US can and will play in halting the crisis in Iraq.

But President Obama doesn't have long to consider his options with ISIS threatening to push forward towards the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

Last year, President Obama abandoned plans for punitive military strikes in Syria following a chemical weapons attack, once it became clear that Congress would not give its backing.

That, you would think, would set the pace over whether American can, and will, now intervene in the current crisis in Iraq.

President Obama has indicated he does not need authorisation from Congress

But the sense from the White House is that when it comes to Iraq it believes the legal framework is already in place to act unilaterally and without the specific backing of Congress.

The President may believe he already has political "top cover" with the Authorisation for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against al Qaeda and its associated forces passed by Congress in 2001 along with his own powers as Commander-in-Chief.

Iraq has asked for US military assistance - namely airstrikes - to stop the advances of Sunni Islamist militants ISIS who have taken over the second city of Mosul and other towns.

There's been no official response yet to Iraq's request but the feeling is that America believes a military solution alone is not the answer and that political change is also needed from Baghdad.

Jets could be launched from the USS George HW Bush in the Gulf

If America does go down the military route airstrikes are widely considered to be the number one option.

They could be launched from the USS George HW Bush, which is now sitting in the Gulf, using A/F-18 fighter jets.

The strikes would be small and targeted, attempting to pick off ISIS forces.

But that in itself is high risk as there's no sense that ISIS are moving forward towards Baghdad in organised columns like a conventional army - instead moving around among the Sunni population.

ISIS is a fast-moving force, mostly in light vehicles, which may not be easy to identify. Distinguishing them from civilians may be difficult and high risk.

Drones may already be in use for reconnaissance purposes to gather intelligence about the movement of ISIS fighters.

Drones may already be in use to gather intelligence

Guided missiles could also be sent from the destroyer USS Truxton and the cruiser USS Philippine Sea which have both been deployed to the area.

Already, additional US troops have been sent to protect American interests in Iraq - such as the embassy in Baghdad.

But America won't want to get pushed into action.

It would much prefer Shia President Nouri al Maliki to bring political change which could halt some of the support ISIS is enjoying from the Sunni community.

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