01:10USA: Petraeus saw rise of ISIL coming in Iraq
Former four-star US General David Petraeus said that the rise of ISIL in Iraq was forseen by people who have "watched this closely", while speaking at the Aspen Ideas Festival on Monday. Petraeus, who led the Multi-National Force in Iraq from 2007-2008, said that the "increasing terrorist violence" was visible, quoting camps set up across the border in Syria.
The former CIA chief also emphasised the importance of forming an intelligence picture via aerial surveillance/reconnaissance missions ahead of "kinetic action". He said there were 35 to 40 flights per day, which are necessary to prepare for potential armed action, such preparation would avoid as he put it "becoming the air force for one side in a sectarian civil war".
Organised by the Aspen Institute in partner with the Atlantic newspaper, the festival has been running annually since 2005 and seeks to find "solutions to global problems". The 2014 festival runs from June 24 to July 3, with speakers including Hillary Clinton, Tony Blair and Al Gore.
01:10Former four-star US General David Petraeus said that the rise of ISIL in Iraq was forseen by people who have "watched this closely", while speaking at the Aspen Ideas Festival on Monday. Petraeus, who led the Multi-National Force in Iraq from 2007-2008, said that the "increasing terrorist violence" was visible, quoting camps set up across the border in Syria.
The former CIA chief also emphasised the importance of forming an intelligence picture via aerial surveillance/reconnaissance missions ahead of "kinetic action". He said there were 35 to 40 flights per day, which are necessary to prepare for potential armed action, such preparation would avoid as he put it "becoming the air force for one side in a sectarian civil war".
Organised by the Aspen Institute in partner with the Atlantic newspaper, the festival has been running annually since 2005 and seeks to find "solutions to global problems". The 2014 festival runs from June 24 to July 3, with speakers including Hillary Clinton, Tony Blair and Al Gore.