LAW AND DISORDER: PENTAGON PUSHES BACK

Is the United States at war with the Sunni Islamist separatists in control of Iraq and Syria? It sure sounded that way when Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel addressed the subject at a press conference: “They’re beyond just a terrorist group. They marry ideology, a sophistication of strategic and tactical military prowess. They are tremendously well-funded.” Hagel said it was “beyond anything that we’ve seen.” He followed that with a grim warning: “So we must prepare for everything. And the only way you do that is that you take a cold, steely, hard look at it and get ready.” So what do you do about that? Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said it would require escalating the conflict and striking targets inside of Syria.