President Obama reveals plans to deal with ISIS
September 11, 2014
| President Barack Obama addressed the nation on September 10, 2014 |
Washington, D.C.: President Barack Obama outlined air strikes, including in Syria, an increased number of U.S. military advisers in Iraq, aid for Iraqi ground forces and continued humanitarian support to those displaced by ISIS in an attempt to "degrade, and ultimately destroy" the terrorist group. Obama stated that with the help of a "broad coalition" and assistance from the new Iraqi government, the United States would help eliminate the group. The national address came on the heels of much debate during the congressional recess on the proper way to deal with ISIS, another issue covered in the address, with Obama calling on Congress to grant the administration provisions to help Syrian opposition forces battle ISIS in Syria.[1]
The president explained, "If you threaten America, you will find no safe haven," but he did insist that the U.S. would not be involved in another ground war in Iraq. He received support across the aisle from his plan due to what had been perceived by Republicans as a weak response to a strong terrorist network. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) stated, "The President's plan announced this evening is an encouraging step in the right direction."[1] Meanwhile, Iraqi Christians, who have been heavily targeted by ISIS, were disappointed, claiming that the lack of ground forces and using only air strikes would not be enough to stop the group.[2]
Secretary of State John Kerry was to meet with Middle East diplomats on September 11, 2014, in order to establish the coalition, though it was not believed to be an easy sell to those countries. Included in the countries visiting with Kerry in Saudi Arabia were Turkey, Qatar, Jordan, United Arab Emirates and Egypt.[3]
The increased number of military advisers would bring the total number in Iraq to 1,700, while more than 150 air strikes have been called.[4][5]
See also
|
- Barack Obama
- John Kerry
- U.S. Department of State
- ISIS insurgency in Iraq and Syria
- Mike Rogers (R-MI)
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 CNN, "Obama escalates ISIS campaign in Iraq, broadens it to war-ravaged Syria," September 10, 2014
- ↑ NBC News, "Iraqi Christians Say Obama's Plan for ISIS Will Not Be Enough," September 11, 2014
- ↑ NBC News, "Tricky Diplomacy Awaits U.S. in ISIS Fight, Analysts Say," September 10, 2014
- ↑ Huffington Post, "Obama Authorizes Airstrikes Against ISIS In Syria," September 10, 2014
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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