Today, the U.S. obtained a limited commitment of support from 10 Arab states. The communique signed by the Gulf Cooperation Council States, the U.S., Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon was as follows:
The ministers representing states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and the United States declared their shared commitment to stand united against the threat posed by all terrorism, including the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), to the region and the world.
The participants hailed the formation of the new, inclusive Iraqi Government and expressed their support for the immediate steps it has pledged to take to advance the interests of all Iraq’s citizens, regardless of religion, sect or ethnicity.
The participants resolved to strengthen their support for the new Iraqi Government in its efforts to unite all Iraqis in combatting ISIL and discussed a strategy to destroy ISIL wherever it is, including in both Iraq and Syria.
The participants confirmed their commitment to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2170, and noted the Arab League Resolution 7804 of September 7, 2014, as well as the discussion of ISIL at the NATO Summit in Wales. The Ministers affirmed their strong commitment to continue the effort to eliminate global terrorism.
The participating states agreed to do their share in the comprehensive fight against ISIL, including: stopping the flow of foreign fighters through neighboring countries, countering financing of ISIL and other violent extremists, repudiating their hateful ideology, ending impunity and bringing perpetrators to justice, contributing to humanitarian relief efforts, assisting with the reconstruction and rehabilitation of communities brutalized by ISIL, supporting states that face the most acute ISIL threat, and, as appropriate, joining in the many aspects of a coordinated military campaign against ISIL.
Participants emphasized that the role played by regional states is central to this effort.
Jeddah Communique
On close inspection, there is no, repeat, no binding commitment of military support. The statement reads, "The participating states agreed to do their share in the comprehensive fight against ISIL... and, as appropriate, joining in the many aspects of a coordinated military campaign against ISIL." Notice the qualifying language, "as appropriate." In other words, aside from Iraq, which is already involved in the fight against ISIS on its territory, there is nothing that makes military contributions from the other Arab states automatic. In stark contrast, when the U.S. organized the Persian Gulf War effort after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, the U.S. obtained firm military commitments from numerous Arab states. Given their much larger interests in the fight against ISIS, the U.S. should have lined up such military contributions. In the end, the Arab states committed to some degree of support short of binding military commitments so as not to isolate the U.S. Given that the U.S. already declared that it had put together a "broad coalition," the Arab states had strong leverage to limit their role, because the U.S. needed their sign-on.
Finally, NATO member Turkey did not sign onto even the limited communique. Even as it enjoys Article V protection from NATO should ISIS attack it--maybe because it enjoys such protection--Turkey did not even embrace the limited commitments contained in the communique. That situation speaks clearly of a continuing erosion in the bilateral U.S.-Turkey relationship even as both sides will likely downplay that deterioration.