PRO Case

We affirm Resolved: Committing United States ground combat troops to fight ISIL is in the best
interest of the United States.
We present points of observation. First, US Authorization for Use of Military Force states ground
combat troops are inclusive of special operations forces. Second, PRO does not have to prove
mutual exclusivity because in the best interest of the United States shows PRO just needs to
prove ground combat troops would present long term benefits to domestic and foreign US
interests.
Point 1: ISIL is a threat to US
First, UN in March 2015 reports that ISIL has committed all three of the most serious
international crimes war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide as they are targeting
Yazidi minority. Due to the extreme humanitarian threat ISIL poses, it will warrant a military
intervention. The difference is the CON world will allow ISIL to gain territory which provides a
platform for terrorist attacks as Taliban did in Afghanistan. Thus, ground troops are necessary.
Second, ISIL is planning to attack the power grid. Dr. Pry, director of National and Homeland
Security, reports that ISIL poses an imminent threat to power grid. This is because U.S. Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission reports attacks on just 9 of the 55,000 power stations could
provoke blackout for 18 months. Center for Security Policy futhers that ISIL attacks against
Yemen left the entire nation without power. Washington Examiner expands that there is evidence
that ISIL plans an attack on the grid because they want to retailate against US involvement. We
win on timeframe because ISIL is already planning an attack on the US. The Center for Security
Policy expands that ISIL could afford to hire Knights Templars. The Knights Templar blacked
out the electric grid of Michoacan showing that ISIL could hire cartels and inflict blackouts. We
win on probability because ISIL is likely to attack the grid and has plans to do so. The Chicago
Tribune explains another method in 2015 as if ISIL gets a nuclear electromagnetic-pulse device
and sets it off in US, it would shut down the grid. UN reports that ISIL stole 88 pounds of
uranium from Mosul. Pry futhers that North Korea has provided Yemen with more than 15
missiles capable of nuclear threats. The Hill continues that ISIL will attempt to use money to
obtain nuclear weapons on the international black market. This danger is magnified by the fact
that ISIL has recruited citizens who possess American passports in order to threaten US. Thus,
ISIL has adquate opportuntiies to obtain nuclear weapons and has recruited people who can
execute attacks. Business Insider impacts that Obama admits that if ISIL has possession of a
nuclear weapon than ground troops would be necessary to seize it. Thus, the risk of ISIL having
nukes justifies combat forces. Congressional Electromagnetic Pulse Commission warns that
power grid blackout on the US would kill 90% of Americans by starvation and societal collapse.
This means we win on magnitude. Thus, we win on timeframe, probability, and magnitude of a
threat by ISIL.
Point 2: Ground Combat Troops Would Help Solve ISIL
ISIL cannot be contained without combat troops because New York Times reports that ISIL is
adapting to airtstrikes by hiding equipment and troops. Wall Street Journal furthers in 2015 that

airstrikes are not working in Syria. The Atlantic in 2015 expands as the only way to defeat ISIL
would be to overpower it militarily and eliminate its caliphate rule. If ISIL loses its grip on its
territor, it will cease to be a caliphate. Caliphates have terrority as a requirement and taking away
ISILs territory through US combat troops would make oaths of allegiance no longer binding,
making it the best option. The Economist expands that Syria lacks manpower to combat ISIL and
Iraqi army needs crucial ground support. Without adequate ground troop support, U.S. air
campaign cannot defeat ISIL. This is strengthend by the fact that Special Team Forces could
take out leaders of ISIL. Johnston from Harvard impacts that removing leaders increases chances
of defeating insurgencies by 33%. Brookings Institue furthers with a Libya case study which
established successful operations included heavy air strikes and capable ground forces.
Washington Institue for Near East Policy notes that while ISIL has tremendous vulnerabilities,
the U.S. is unable to exploit these due to its partners on the ground. Thus, the US needs ground
combat troops in order to successfully accomplish the strategy establish by our Libya Case study.