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| Obama to announce ‘broad coalition’ to fight Islamic State terror group | Obama to announce ‘broad coalition’ to fight Islamic State terror group |
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| The United States will lead a “broad coalition” to defeat the Islamic State through air strikes and support for military partners on the ground, President Obama will announce Wednesday night. | The United States will lead a “broad coalition” to defeat the Islamic State through air strikes and support for military partners on the ground, President Obama will announce Wednesday night. |
| In a prime-time speech, Obama will tell the country that the offensive against the militant group will not involve combat troops, but rather a “steady, relentless effort” that involves air power and backing for partner forces, according to early excerpts provided by the White House. | In a prime-time speech, Obama will tell the country that the offensive against the militant group will not involve combat troops, but rather a “steady, relentless effort” that involves air power and backing for partner forces, according to early excerpts provided by the White House. |
| “So tonight, with a new Iraqi government in place, and following consultations with allies abroad and Congress at home, I can announce that America will lead a broad coalition to roll back this terrorist threat. Our objective is clear: we will degrade, and ultimately destroy ISIL through a comprehensive and sustained counter-terrorism strategy,” Obama will say, using an acronym for the Islamic State terrorist group. | “So tonight, with a new Iraqi government in place, and following consultations with allies abroad and Congress at home, I can announce that America will lead a broad coalition to roll back this terrorist threat. Our objective is clear: we will degrade, and ultimately destroy ISIL through a comprehensive and sustained counter-terrorism strategy,” Obama will say, using an acronym for the Islamic State terrorist group. |
| Obama will make clear to a war-weary public that the offensive will not resemble the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but rather other, more covert, missions against terrorists. | Obama will make clear to a war-weary public that the offensive will not resemble the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but rather other, more covert, missions against terrorists. |
| “I want the American people to understand how this effort will be different from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It will not involve American combat troops fighting on foreign soil,” Obama will tell the nation. | “I want the American people to understand how this effort will be different from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It will not involve American combat troops fighting on foreign soil,” Obama will tell the nation. |
| “This counter-terrorism campaign will be waged through a steady, relentless effort to take out ISIL wherever they exist using our air power and our support for partner forces on the ground. This strategy of taking out terrorists who threaten us, while supporting partners on the front lines, is one that we have successfully pursued in Yemen and Somalia for years.” | “This counter-terrorism campaign will be waged through a steady, relentless effort to take out ISIL wherever they exist using our air power and our support for partner forces on the ground. This strategy of taking out terrorists who threaten us, while supporting partners on the front lines, is one that we have successfully pursued in Yemen and Somalia for years.” |
| Ahead of Obama’s speech, debate over how to confront the threat moved to Congress Wednesday, where leaders were debating legislative proposals that would bolster Obama’s authority to wage war on the Islamist group by explicitly authorizing U.S. military personnel to train foreigners to fight the militants. | Ahead of Obama’s speech, debate over how to confront the threat moved to Congress Wednesday, where leaders were debating legislative proposals that would bolster Obama’s authority to wage war on the Islamist group by explicitly authorizing U.S. military personnel to train foreigners to fight the militants. |
| If the authority is granted, it is unclear whether American military personnel would be sent into Syria to train foreign fighters. | If the authority is granted, it is unclear whether American military personnel would be sent into Syria to train foreign fighters. |
| Support for Obama’s request appears to be growing. House Republicans abruptly postponed a vote scheduled for Thursday on a short-term spending bill in which the White House asked that the legal authority to train fighters be included. Republicans deferred the vote to consider Obama’s request. | Support for Obama’s request appears to be growing. House Republicans abruptly postponed a vote scheduled for Thursday on a short-term spending bill in which the White House asked that the legal authority to train fighters be included. Republicans deferred the vote to consider Obama’s request. |
| Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) signaled Wednesday that he supports fulfilling Obama’s request. “It’s clear to me that we need to train and equip Syrian rebels and other groups in the Middle East that need some help,” he said. | Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) signaled Wednesday that he supports fulfilling Obama’s request. “It’s clear to me that we need to train and equip Syrian rebels and other groups in the Middle East that need some help,” he said. |
| But House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she would support the move only if rebel fighters were trained “out of country” and not in Syria. | But House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she would support the move only if rebel fighters were trained “out of country” and not in Syria. |
| Obama has signaled that he he does not believe he needs formal congressional approval to launch air strikes into Syria. But Obama is working to gain backing for his plan. | Obama has signaled that he he does not believe he needs formal congressional approval to launch air strikes into Syria. But Obama is working to gain backing for his plan. |
| In a sign of intensified White House engagement, the president called lawmakers to ask them to quickly support giving him the legal authority to train foreign fighters. | In a sign of intensified White House engagement, the president called lawmakers to ask them to quickly support giving him the legal authority to train foreign fighters. |
| Senior House Republican aides couldn’t say Wednesday whether granting legal authority for training foreign troops to combat the terrorist group in Iraq and Syria will be included in a spending measure, which was introduced Tuesday night. A vote scheduled for Thursday has been delayed. House Republicans have scheduled a meeting for Thursday morning to gauge members’ reactions to Obama’s speech, and lawmakers will have a chance to attend closed-door briefings from top military and national security officials Thursday afternoon, top aides said. | Senior House Republican aides couldn’t say Wednesday whether granting legal authority for training foreign troops to combat the terrorist group in Iraq and Syria will be included in a spending measure, which was introduced Tuesday night. A vote scheduled for Thursday has been delayed. House Republicans have scheduled a meeting for Thursday morning to gauge members’ reactions to Obama’s speech, and lawmakers will have a chance to attend closed-door briefings from top military and national security officials Thursday afternoon, top aides said. |
| Reid said that if the legal authority isn’t included in the spending measure, he will introduce a standalone bill. | Reid said that if the legal authority isn’t included in the spending measure, he will introduce a standalone bill. |
| Rep. Harold Rogers (R-Ky.), who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, said he received a call from Obama at 5 p.m. Tuesday asking that language giving Obama authority to train foreign fighters be added to the spending bill. | Rep. Harold Rogers (R-Ky.), who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, said he received a call from Obama at 5 p.m. Tuesday asking that language giving Obama authority to train foreign fighters be added to the spending bill. |
| “I don’t recollect a previous time” that he had received a direct call from Obama asking that something be included in a spending bill, Rogers said. | “I don’t recollect a previous time” that he had received a direct call from Obama asking that something be included in a spending bill, Rogers said. |
| Meanwhile, the president huddled in the Situation Room with his top national security advisers, including Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, national security adviser Susan E. Rice, CIA Director John Brennan and Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. | Meanwhile, the president huddled in the Situation Room with his top national security advisers, including Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, national security adviser Susan E. Rice, CIA Director John Brennan and Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. |
| In his speech, scheduled for 9 p.m., Obama “will discuss how we are building a coalition of allies and partners in the region and in the broader international community to support our efforts, and will talk about how we work with the Congress as a partner in these efforts,” a White House official said. | In his speech, scheduled for 9 p.m., Obama “will discuss how we are building a coalition of allies and partners in the region and in the broader international community to support our efforts, and will talk about how we work with the Congress as a partner in these efforts,” a White House official said. |
| The United States already has conducted 154 strikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq, according to the Pentagon, and has 1,043 troops stationed there. The forces include 754 U.S. personnel providing support to diplomatic security in Baghdad, and 289 personnel manning two joint operations centers. | The United States already has conducted 154 strikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq, according to the Pentagon, and has 1,043 troops stationed there. The forces include 754 U.S. personnel providing support to diplomatic security in Baghdad, and 289 personnel manning two joint operations centers. |
| At least one European ally is now willing to help the United States launch airstrikes in Iraq. On Wednesday, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius called for other countries to join in the international fight against “this transnational danger that could reach all the way to our soil.” | At least one European ally is now willing to help the United States launch airstrikes in Iraq. On Wednesday, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius called for other countries to join in the international fight against “this transnational danger that could reach all the way to our soil.” |
| Obama also seems to be receiving bipartisan support at home for his initiative, although Republicans continued to criticize how he has managed Middle Eastern affairs. | Obama also seems to be receiving bipartisan support at home for his initiative, although Republicans continued to criticize how he has managed Middle Eastern affairs. |
| Reid said on the Senate floor that he supports Obama’s use of airstrikes and unmanned aerial drones to go after the Islamic State, calling it “a smart, strategic and effective approach.” | Reid said on the Senate floor that he supports Obama’s use of airstrikes and unmanned aerial drones to go after the Islamic State, calling it “a smart, strategic and effective approach.” |
| Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), by contrast, said in a floor speech that Obama “has yet to find his footing when it comes to dealing with this group that clearly has the will, the means and the sanctuary it needs to do more.” | Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), by contrast, said in a floor speech that Obama “has yet to find his footing when it comes to dealing with this group that clearly has the will, the means and the sanctuary it needs to do more.” |
| But McConnell added, “If the president develops a regional strategy, builds a combat-effective military coalition and explains how his strategy will lead to the defeat of ISIL, I believe he’ll have significant congressional support.” | But McConnell added, “If the president develops a regional strategy, builds a combat-effective military coalition and explains how his strategy will lead to the defeat of ISIL, I believe he’ll have significant congressional support.” |
| That process is underway, said Jon B. Alterman, who directs the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He noted that much of the administration’s effort is focused on working with several allies — including the newly formed Iraqi government as well as leaders in Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Europe — and in parallel to Iran. | That process is underway, said Jon B. Alterman, who directs the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He noted that much of the administration’s effort is focused on working with several allies — including the newly formed Iraqi government as well as leaders in Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Europe — and in parallel to Iran. |
| “The mistake is thinking this is principally a military operation,” he said. “This is principally a political operation about what political entity controls a broad swath of territory.” | “The mistake is thinking this is principally a military operation,” he said. “This is principally a political operation about what political entity controls a broad swath of territory.” |
| As part of that diplomatic outreach, Obama called Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz on Wednesday from the Oval Office as four aides, including Rice and Lisa Monaco, assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism, sat nearby. | As part of that diplomatic outreach, Obama called Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz on Wednesday from the Oval Office as four aides, including Rice and Lisa Monaco, assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism, sat nearby. |
| Meanwhile, Secretary of State John F. Kerry was spending Wednesday in Iraq, where he met with the nation’s new prime minister, Haider al-Abadi. Abadi, who called the Islamic State “a terrorist nation,” pledged “to include all people in the Iraqi society from all sections of this society in this government and in the mobilization process” as the country sought to establish regional stability. | Meanwhile, Secretary of State John F. Kerry was spending Wednesday in Iraq, where he met with the nation’s new prime minister, Haider al-Abadi. Abadi, who called the Islamic State “a terrorist nation,” pledged “to include all people in the Iraqi society from all sections of this society in this government and in the mobilization process” as the country sought to establish regional stability. |
| Kerry told Abadi that he was “very encouraged by the comments you’ve made here today and by your commitment” to make reforms that would build trust among Sunnis as well as Kurds in Iraq. | Kerry told Abadi that he was “very encouraged by the comments you’ve made here today and by your commitment” to make reforms that would build trust among Sunnis as well as Kurds in Iraq. |
| Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson warned Wednesday that the Islamic State has demonstrated “a certain level of danger that constitutes a threat” to U.S. vital interests. He said his agency, the FBI and other intelligence agencies are “making enhanced and concerted efforts” to track Syrian foreign fighters who leave or wish to enter the United States. He said the United States is working with international allies to share information about tracking Syrian foreign fighters. | Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson warned Wednesday that the Islamic State has demonstrated “a certain level of danger that constitutes a threat” to U.S. vital interests. He said his agency, the FBI and other intelligence agencies are “making enhanced and concerted efforts” to track Syrian foreign fighters who leave or wish to enter the United States. He said the United States is working with international allies to share information about tracking Syrian foreign fighters. |
| Johnson said there is no credible information that the Islamic State is planning to attack the United States. | Johnson said there is no credible information that the Islamic State is planning to attack the United States. |
| “After 13 years of war since 9/11, the decision by the president to take on a new fight against this enemy was not an easy one,” Johnson said Wednesday at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. “But the president recognizes the serious threat” posed by the Islamic State. | “After 13 years of war since 9/11, the decision by the president to take on a new fight against this enemy was not an easy one,” Johnson said Wednesday at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. “But the president recognizes the serious threat” posed by the Islamic State. |
| Rogers, however, said he is upset that Obama would make such a significant request at such a late hour. | Rogers, however, said he is upset that Obama would make such a significant request at such a late hour. |
| “They’ve known about this problem for over a year, they’ve known that we were getting to do a [spending bill], and just as I was ready to drop it in the hopper, the president calls and asks if we would consider this,” Rogers said. “In good faith, we’re trying to get briefed up on what the request is, and it’s a complicated, big-time change in policy that I’d hate to see us attach to a continuing resolution at the very last minute.” | “They’ve known about this problem for over a year, they’ve known that we were getting to do a [spending bill], and just as I was ready to drop it in the hopper, the president calls and asks if we would consider this,” Rogers said. “In good faith, we’re trying to get briefed up on what the request is, and it’s a complicated, big-time change in policy that I’d hate to see us attach to a continuing resolution at the very last minute.” |
| Related: | Related: |
| Officials say Islamic State not an immediate threat to U.S. | Officials say Islamic State not an immediate threat to U.S. |
| Congress likely to vote on training Syrian rebels | Congress likely to vote on training Syrian rebels |
| Does Obama have the legal authority to strike in Syria? | Does Obama have the legal authority to strike in Syria? |
| The Fix: Is it ISIS or ISIL or Islamic State? | The Fix: Is it ISIS or ISIL or Islamic State? |
| Poll: Public support widens for action against militants | Poll: Public support widens for action against militants |
| Related: | Related: |
| Action against Islamic State a ‘legacy issue’ for Obama | |
| Officials say Islamic State not an immediate threat to U.S. | Officials say Islamic State not an immediate threat to U.S. |
| Does Obama have the legal authority to strike in Syria? | Does Obama have the legal authority to strike in Syria? |
| The Fix: Is it ISIS or ISIL or Islamic State? | The Fix: Is it ISIS or ISIL or Islamic State? |
| Poll: Public support widens for action against militants | Poll: Public support widens for action against militants |