Obama Announces New War on Terrorism
On the eve of the thirteenth anniversary of the most devastating terrorist attack in American history, President Barack Obama gave a speech in which he declared war on the terrorist group known as “ISIS,” or “ISIL.” He began his address with the words, “My fellow Americans, tonight, I want to speak to you about what the United States will do with our friends and allies to degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist group known as Isil.” He went on to state that, “At this moment, the greatest threats come from the Middle East and north Africa, where radical groups exploit grievances for their own gain. And one of those groups is Isil, which calls itself the Islamic State.”
President Claims ISIS/ISIL is Not Islamic
After admitting that the group which he calls, “ISIS” is a terrorist threat which has the capacity to do great harm, Obama went on to make the claim that, “Now let’s make two things clear: Isil is not ‘Islamic’. No religion condones the killing of innocents, and the vast majority of Isil’s victims have been Muslim. And Isil is certainly not a state. It was formerly al-Qaida’s affiliate in Iraq, and has taken advantage of sectarian strife and Syria’s civil war to gain territory on both sides of the Iraq-Syrian border. It is recognized by no government, nor the people it subjugates. Isil is a terrorist organization, pure and simple. And it has no vision other than the slaughter of all who stand in its way.”
Obama Admits Brutality of ISIL/ISIS
The President went on to state the nature of this terrorist group and the threat that they could pose to the American people. He explained, “In a region that has known so much bloodshed, these terrorists are unique in their brutality. They execute captured prisoners. They kill children. They enslave, rape, and force women into marriage. They threatened a religious minority with genocide. In acts of barbarism, they took the lives of two American journalists, Jim Foley and Steven Sotloff. So Isil poses a threat to the people of Iraq and Syria, and the broader Middle East – including American citizens, personnel and facilities. If left unchecked, these terrorists could pose a growing threat beyond that region, including to the United States. While we have not yet detected specific plotting against our homeland, Isil leaders have threatened America and our allies.”
President Promises Terrorists “No Safe Haven”
Just seven minutes into his speech, Obama authorized. He did so without congressional approval although he did ask Congress to help fund arms which would go to the Syrian rebels who are reportedly fighting ISIS. Obama went on to say, “Our objective is clear: we will degrade, and ultimately destroy Isil through a comprehensive and sustained counter-terrorism strategy.
First, we will conduct a systematic campaign of airstrikes against these terrorists. Working with the Iraqi government, we will expand our efforts beyond protecting our own people and humanitarian missions, so that we’re hitting Isil targets as Iraqi forces go on offense. Moreover, I have made it clear that we will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are. That means I will not hesitate to take action against Isil in Syria, as well as Iraq. This is a core principle of my presidency: if you threaten America, you will find no safe haven.”
He also committed to sending 475 additional United States troops to Iraq. Although he promises that this will not be another ground war, he insists that these American forces, “Are needed to support Iraqi and Kurdish forces with training, intelligence and equipment. We will also support Iraq’s efforts to stand up national guard units to help Sunni communities secure their own freedom from Isil control.”
Sending Americans Into a Holy War
Not only has the American President declared a new war without the approval of Congress, but he has committed to sending even more of our service men and women into battle. While terrorism must be fought and eradicated, the President left many questions unanswered, according to House Speaker John Boehner, as he added, “It is also a cause for concern that the president appears to view the effort against ISIL as an isolated counter-terrorism campaign, rather than as what it must be: an all-out effort to destroy an enemy that has declared a holy war against America and the principles for which we stand.” Do you approve of the President’s actions?
