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Obama to brief Congress leaders on fight with IS Obama to brief Congress leaders on fight with IS
(about 1 hour later)
President Barack Obama will meet Congressional leaders on Tuesday to outline his case for an expanded military campaign against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.President Barack Obama will meet Congressional leaders on Tuesday to outline his case for an expanded military campaign against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.
He will discuss his strategy with leaders from both parties in the White House at 15:00 local (20:00 GMT).He will discuss his strategy with leaders from both parties in the White House at 15:00 local (20:00 GMT).
This comes ahead of his speech to the nation on Wednesday night.This comes ahead of his speech to the nation on Wednesday night.
It is not clear whether the president will need Congressional authorisation for an increased military role.It is not clear whether the president will need Congressional authorisation for an increased military role.
Tuesday's meeting with Congressional leaders comes a year after lawmakers blocked Mr Obama's previous plans for missile strikes against Syria.Tuesday's meeting with Congressional leaders comes a year after lawmakers blocked Mr Obama's previous plans for missile strikes against Syria.
Since then, the IS jihadist group has taken control of large swathes of Iraq and Syria.Since then, the IS jihadist group has taken control of large swathes of Iraq and Syria.
In June it declared the creation of a "caliphate" or Islamic state.In June it declared the creation of a "caliphate" or Islamic state.
In the past month, IS militants have beheaded two US journalists in protest against American airstrikes on its forces in Iraq.In the past month, IS militants have beheaded two US journalists in protest against American airstrikes on its forces in Iraq.
Mr Obama has ruled out the possibility of a US ground operation against IS but has signalled he may expand airstrikes to include Syria.Mr Obama has ruled out the possibility of a US ground operation against IS but has signalled he may expand airstrikes to include Syria.
"Over the course of months, we are going to be able to not just blunt the momentum of [IS]," he said on Sunday. "We are going to systematically degrade their capabilities; we're going to shrink the territory that they control; and, ultimately, we're going to defeat them.""Over the course of months, we are going to be able to not just blunt the momentum of [IS]," he said on Sunday. "We are going to systematically degrade their capabilities; we're going to shrink the territory that they control; and, ultimately, we're going to defeat them."
Analysis: Jim Muir, BBC News, IrbilAnalysis: Jim Muir, BBC News, Irbil
The Americans are hoping the new government can start pulling Iraq back together, and provide a springboard for a national drive to root out Islamic State militants. That can only work if the Sunni community can be persuaded that that is in their interests.The Americans are hoping the new government can start pulling Iraq back together, and provide a springboard for a national drive to root out Islamic State militants. That can only work if the Sunni community can be persuaded that that is in their interests.
Mr Obama and Mr Abadi agreed on the need for the new government to address the aspirations and legitimate grievances of the Iraqi people - a clear reference to the Sunnis. Their demands include the release of detainees, an end to bombardment of Sunni areas, and a real share of power in Baghdad.Mr Obama and Mr Abadi agreed on the need for the new government to address the aspirations and legitimate grievances of the Iraqi people - a clear reference to the Sunnis. Their demands include the release of detainees, an end to bombardment of Sunni areas, and a real share of power in Baghdad.
The task ahead is clearly massive. Among other things, the Iraqi army is in a state of disarray, and much of the recent fighting has been done by Shia militia, strengthening the element of sectarian civil strife that will have to be eliminated if the IS radicals are to be isolated and crushed, without whole communities being destroyed.The task ahead is clearly massive. Among other things, the Iraqi army is in a state of disarray, and much of the recent fighting has been done by Shia militia, strengthening the element of sectarian civil strife that will have to be eliminated if the IS radicals are to be isolated and crushed, without whole communities being destroyed.
While leaders in Congress have made it clear they are not interested in pursuing a vote on military action, some lawmakers have said any airstrikes or military action should be authorised by them.While leaders in Congress have made it clear they are not interested in pursuing a vote on military action, some lawmakers have said any airstrikes or military action should be authorised by them.
Republican Senator Rand Paul told the website Politico that if Mr Obama does not ask for authorisation, "it would show a disregard for the Constitution, and for the history of our country".Republican Senator Rand Paul told the website Politico that if Mr Obama does not ask for authorisation, "it would show a disregard for the Constitution, and for the history of our country".
But other lawmakers are more cautious about committing themselves to potentially risky military action, especially with the approach of Congressional mid-term elections in November.But other lawmakers are more cautious about committing themselves to potentially risky military action, especially with the approach of Congressional mid-term elections in November.
According to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, a large majority of the American public views Islamic State as a serious threat to the US and widely supports air strikes in Iraq and Syria.
The US State Department has attempted to
Mr Obama's press secretary, Josh Earnest, told Politico on Monday the president was hoping for a "buy-in" from Congress.Mr Obama's press secretary, Josh Earnest, told Politico on Monday the president was hoping for a "buy-in" from Congress.
Meanwhile the US has hailed the creation of a new government in Iraq as a major milestone and a crucial step towards defeating the militant group, Islamic State (IS).Meanwhile the US has hailed the creation of a new government in Iraq as a major milestone and a crucial step towards defeating the militant group, Islamic State (IS).
Secretary of State John Kerry said Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's cabinet had the "potential to unite all of Iraq's diverse communities".Secretary of State John Kerry said Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's cabinet had the "potential to unite all of Iraq's diverse communities".
Posts have been shared between the Shia Arab majority, Sunni Arabs and Kurds.Posts have been shared between the Shia Arab majority, Sunni Arabs and Kurds.
The US had made the approval of a unity government a condition for increased military assistance.The US had made the approval of a unity government a condition for increased military assistance.
Mr Kerry is travelling to Saudi Arabia and Jordan this week as part of efforts to build a coalition to confront IS.Mr Kerry is travelling to Saudi Arabia and Jordan this week as part of efforts to build a coalition to confront IS.
Are you in Iraq? What is your reaction to the formation of the new government? Email your stories from the region to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Iraq? What is your reaction to the formation of the new government? Email your stories from the region to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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