#ThinkDefense: CEO Michèle Flournoy and NPR's Tom Bowman's Twitter Chat

CNAS CEO Michèle Flournoy (@micheleflournoy) and NPR Pentagon Reporter Tom Bowman (@TBowmanNPR) took to Twitter to chat about today's most pressing national security issues including: ISIS, counterterrorism, and U.S. defense priorities. Ms. Flournoy took questions from participants including Spencer Ackerman, Tony Smith, Emmanual Maged and Robbie Gramer. We aggregated the chat below, but feel free to continue following the conversation using #ThinkDefense.

Q!: Should US expand airstrikes in #Iraq beyond mission of humanitarian and protecting US citizens, and take fight to ISIS? #ThinkDefense

— Tom Bowman (@TBowmanNPR) August 20, 2014

A1: Yes, but only if in support of Iraqi forces fighting on behalf of an inclusive Iraqi government and if civilian casualties avoided.

— Michèle Flournoy (@micheleflournoy) August 20, 2014

ISIS poses a serious threat to the US; we need to lead an international effort to counter #ThinkDefense

— Michèle Flournoy (@micheleflournoy) August 20, 2014

@attackerman Countering means rolling back territorial gains & degrading their ability to launch attacks on Western interests #thinkdefense

— Michèle Flournoy (@micheleflournoy) August 20, 2014

The Kurds are asking for heavier weapons: mortars, artillery and armored vehicles. Should they get them? #ThinkDefense

— Tom Bowman (@TBowmanNPR) August 20, 2014

A2. Yes, the US should supply Kurds with what they need to defend key territory and thwart ISIS #ThinkDefense

— Michèle Flournoy (@micheleflournoy) August 20, 2014

We keep hearing about international effort for #Iraq and #ISIS. What's the holdup? #ThinkDefense

— Tom Bowman (@TBowmanNPR) August 20, 2014

The international effort is being pieced together, with UK and others joining. A work in progress but needs greater urgency. #ThinkDefense

— Michèle Flournoy (@micheleflournoy) August 20, 2014

Q3: @BarackObama says US will pursue a 'long term strategy' against ISIS. How should this be done? #ThinkDefense

— Tom Bowman (@TBowmanNPR) August 20, 2014

Form a coalition, provide military assistance to forces on ground, cut off ISIS financing, and counter its propaganda.#ThinkDefense

— Michèle Flournoy (@micheleflournoy) August 20, 2014

Q4 Should there be a robust train and assist mission for #Iraq? Should the US wait for the formation of an Iraqi government? #ThinkDefense

— Tom Bowman (@TBowmanNPR) August 20, 2014

A4. US should immediately grow such efforts but continue only if Iraqi government formation stays on track #ThinkDefense

— Michèle Flournoy (@micheleflournoy) August 20, 2014

Q5: Is it time for the US to provide more weapons to #Ukraine? How about joint training operations? #ThinkDefense

— Tom Bowman (@TBowmanNPR) August 20, 2014

A5. US and Europeans should provide lethal assistance to enable Ukrainian forces to defend their territory and sovereignty.#ThinkDefense

— Michèle Flournoy (@micheleflournoy) August 20, 2014

A5. Advise and assist, yes; joint training and ops, not at this time.#thinkdefense

— Michèle Flournoy (@micheleflournoy) August 20, 2014

Q7: Looking at the Defense Budget, how would you change it? What would you cut more, increase more? #ThinkDefense

— Tom Bowman (@TBowmanNPR) August 20, 2014

A7. Restore readiness funding and protect seed corn for future - R&D and critical capability investments.#thinkdefnese

— Michèle Flournoy (@micheleflournoy) August 20, 2014

@MrSmithInDC Best for Kurds to focus on protecting their region and rely on ISF to lead elsewhere in Iraq.#Thinkdefnese

— Michèle Flournoy (@micheleflournoy) August 20, 2014

@Emmanuelmaged QDR reenforced priority given to rebalance to Asia, but didn't address newer challenges like ISIS and Ukraine #thinkdefense

— Michèle Flournoy (@micheleflournoy) August 20, 2014

@RobbieGramer @TBowmanNPR US should increase its rotational presence in Europe to reassure allies of Article V commitment. #Thinkdefense

— Michèle Flournoy (@micheleflournoy) August 20, 2014

@Emmanuelmaged Yes. While investing in Asia, we need a strategy for countering ISIS and a rethink of our posture in Europe. #thinkdefense

— Michèle Flournoy (@micheleflournoy) August 20, 2014