Obama calls on nations to aid Syria in fight against ISIS, take in refugees
In his news conference at the G-20 Summit in Turkey, President Obama announced a new agreement Monday to streamline the U.S. process of sharing intelligence with France, in light of Friday's deadly terrorist attacks in Paris carried out by the Islamic State. He also said the U.S. had no "specific" intelligence in advance about ISIS threats toward Paris.
Obama also called on other nations to aid Syria, a nation grappling with civil war and a heavy ISIS presence. Obama affirmed his administration's commitment to taking in up to 10,000 Syrian refugees in the next year, something his deputy national security adviser had also confirmed on the Sunday talk shows.
"Slamming the door in their faces would be a betrayal of our values," Obama said, arguing that refugees are fleeing terrorists in Syria, rather than working with them.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Following the Paris attacks, many prominent Republicans have renewed criticism of the president's refugee policy as well as his approach to fighting ISIS, which does not include putting large numbers of troops on the ground. Rather, Obama said to expect an "intensification" in the U.S.'s current strategy in fighting ISIS.
"A strategy has to be one that can be sustained," Obama said. "The strategy that we're pursuing, which focuses on limiting wherever possible the capabilities of [ISIS] on the ground, systematically going after their leadership, their infrastructure, strengthening Syrian and Iraqi and Kurdish forces that are prepared to fight them, that's the strategy we're going to have to pursue."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Julie Kliegman is a freelance writer based in New York. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Vox, Mental Floss, Paste, the Tampa Bay Times and PolitiFact. Her cats can do somersaults.
-
Saint Paul de Vence: a paradise for art lovers
The Week Recommends The hilltop gem in the French Riviera where 20th century modernism flourished
By Alexandra Zagalsky Published
-
'People in general want workers to earn a decent living'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What might a Trump victory mean for the global economy?
Today's Big Question A second term in office for the 'America First' administration would send shockwaves far beyond the United States' shores
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
By The Week UK Published
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs say
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign port
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published