As President Barack Obama weighs whether to expand the American air war from Iraq into Syria to combat the threat of Islamic State militants, contenders vying to serve as Hawaii’s next representative in the U.S. House differ on whether an immediate strike should have congressional approval.
"I think the president has the authority inherent as commander in chief under the War Powers Act that if he believes that American national security is at stake, he does not need to go to Congress," Republican and former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou said in a recent interview. "However, any long-term or sustained military action will need congressional authorization."
Djou said he did not believe a nonmilitary option could be found.
Democrat Mark Takai disagreed, saying that he prefers a nonmilitary option and if one could not be reached, the president should secure the authority of Congress before acting.
"I do believe that any action taken by the United States and the president must come through Congress," Takai said in an interview. "At this point, with the landscape constantly shifting, speculating about my position on hypothetical military action only stifles the nonmilitary efforts right now working to end the crisis.
"I think almost 200,000 Syrians have died since this conflict began and I believe that ending the violence must be a top priority."
Obama acknowledged this week that the U.S. still lacks a strategy for defeating the growing extremist threat emanating from Syria. The president is meeting with his top advisers and consulting members of Congress to prepare U.S. military options. At the same time, he is looking for allies around the world to help the U.S. root out the Islamic State group that has seized large swaths of territory in Syria and Iraq.
In the last year-and-a-half, Islamic State extremists have fought the Syrian army, Hezbollah and Iranian forces. They’ve clashed with al-Qaida’s local affiliate, routed Iraq’s army and pushed back Kurdish Peshmerga fighters. American airstrikes in Iraq have recently prompted somewhat of a retreat. But U.S. military leaders say the terrorists can’t be crushed unless their sanctuaries in Syria are targeted.
While debate in the United States centers on military tactics and Obama’s level of congressional and public support for action in Syria, U.S. officials are trying to come up with a coordinated approach to fighting the Islamic State group among a wide range of governments and militias. Some are competing against one another for influence or engaged in outright war.
The ongoing situation underscores some contrasts between Djou and Takai, both veterans of the country’s recent conflicts in the Middle East. Djou, a major in the U.S. Army Reserve, was deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Takai, a lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii National Guard, was deployed to Kuwait in 2009 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Djou said he backs the president in wanting to defeat the threat of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, but criticized Obama for stating that the U.S. lacks a strategy.
"America must confront this threat to our national security," Djou said. "I want the president to succeed, but he needs to show more decisive leadership."
He called the rise of radical Islamists "the most immediate threat" to U.S. national security.
"The violent and expanding ISIS terrorist organization threatens America’s vital interests and demands action," he said. "As a combat veteran, I do not want to send any American service members into harm’s way.But I would much rather confront terrorists like ISIS overseas than here at home."
Takai said any solution must stress care for Syrian refugees and providing them with basic necessities such as food, water, clothing and health care.
"Otherwise, sometimes refugees often turn to extremist groups like ISIS in desperation," he said, adding that the U.S. should assist nongovernmental organizations and neighboring countries such as Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.
"I think that we should encourage these countries to effectively counter the threat of finding extremism that may be moving and spilling over into their countries from Syria," he said. "The neighboring countries need to be encouraged to effectively counter the threat of violence and what I call violent extremism."
Takai also maintained that putting American boots on the ground was not a viable solution, adding that what’s most important is staying on top of the ever-changing situation.
"I think it’s important for the president to consult with and request approval of Congress if and when he decides to take military action," Takai said.
He added, "I do believe that for me, personally, nonmilitary action is preferred versus military action, but top priority needs to be about ending the violence."
Djou and Takai will face off in the Nov. 4 general election in the contest deciding who will succeed U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who gave up a chance at re-election to her seat representing urban Oahu for a run at the U.S. Senate.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
