How will potential future operations in Iraq vary from the COIN/Stability operations previously executed?

With the new focus on military action against ISIL, how do you think we will execute this action?

Frankly, this looks like it could have more elements Force-on-Force than what we have utilized in recent years. ISIL is operating in a very organized manner and utilizing some conventional tactics and procedures in order to carry out their operations.

I am absolutely not going to downplay the importance and value of Air Power, but I think we are seeing a much larger threat than we have faced recently that will require us to conduct clearing operations on the ground in order to hold zones in order to eliminate the threat. The problem with this lies not in deploying troops in a cycle of downsizing (which is a whole other topic to discuss), but the geographical dispersion of ISIL and their ability to garner low-level militant groups to join their cause which spreads their control further, faster than we can react to it.

It is obvious that Iraq and Syria have a bit of a Ground Zero aspect to ISIL. It also is the location where the war is the hottest, even though Libya might be willing to argue against that. This leads me to my impression of what one probable COA is: a combined arms campaign in Iraq with a coalition of others who are equally threatened by the expansion of ISIL. This would likely be US led since the Iraqi Army is being dramatically ineffective and we are the ones who have the most knowledge of the region. A solid strike to the "heartland" of ISIL could have one of two effects: 1) it could reduce their profile and create the fear that anyone associated with ISIL could be a target of such military action which reduces their influence abroad, or 2) bolster them as a legitimate national entity (in reputation) which garners more support from abroad.

Either way, I think it is easy to see how ISIL is a threat to national interests both domestically and abroad and we also can see how many of our allies are extremely threatened by the organization. It seems as though action is almost unavoidable.

Does anyone have an opinion regarding this? Does anyone feel as though a lack of action or action that is not broad and directed enough could be a mistake which leads to further issues in the future?

http://article.wn.com/view/2015/02/13/Fort_Carson_brigade_headed_to_Kuwait_for_possible_showdown_w/