US vows to 'take out' Islamic State wherever it exists
Barack Obama announces US military expansion in Middle East in speech he had 'hoped to avoid'

Barack Obama has expanded America's month-long bombing campaign in the Middle East, considerably deepening US military involvement in the fight against Islamic State.
The US president said last night that he would not hesitate to take action against the militants in Syria as well as in Iraq.
He outlined his plans in a televised speech on the eve of the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. "America will lead a broad coalition to roll back this terrorist threat," Obama announced from the White House. "I will not hesitate to take action against ISIL [Islamic State] in Syria, as well as Iraq. This is a core principle of my presidency: if you threaten America, you will find no safe haven."
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.
The president said the 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".
The US will step up its support for allied ground forces, but not Syrian regime forces, to fight against Islamic State and continue offering humanitarian aid to civilians affected by the militants' advance. Obama announced that 475 US military personnel would also be sent to Iraq, although not in a combat role.
Jon Sopel, BBC North America editor, described it as the speech Obama "had been desperately hoping to avoid" – a man who does not want to be a war leader dealing with the "unpalatable" situation he finds himself in.
It comes weeks after Islamic State, which has taken over large swathes of Syria and Iraq since June, beheaded two US journalists and released video footage of the murders, which was circulated widely on the internet. The US has already launched over 150 airstrikes against the group in Iraq and provided arms to Iraqi and Kurdish forces fighting the militants.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Wall Street Journal notes that today's announcement marks an acknowledgment by Obama that the Islamic State threat requires "the type of long-term, open-ended conflict he has resisted since taking office – and which he campaigned for the White House saying he would avoid".
-
3 killed in Trump’s second Venezuelan boat strike
Legal experts said Trump had no authority to order extrajudicial executions of noncombatants
-
September 16 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Tuesday's political cartoons include bad news for inflation, Brian Kilmeade's solution, and Kash Patel's dinner order
-
Fit for a king: must-visit palaces around the UK
The Week Recommends Our pick of the nation’s most magnificent residences for nobles and royals
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month