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
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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.
-
The hunt for Planet Nine
Under The Radar Researchers seeking the elusive Earth-like planet beyond Neptune are narrowing down their search
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Magazine interactive crossword - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostages
Speed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Nato official warns of all-out war with Russia in next 20 years
Speed Read Civilians must prepare for life-changing conflict and mass mobilisation, says military chief
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv to announce £2.5 billion in military support for Ukraine
Speed Read Surprise trip comes amid increased Russian bombardment and escalation of Middle East crisis
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK 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
-
Israel preparing to flood Hamas tunnels with seawater
Speed Read IDF pumps could drive out terrorists but critics warn of danger to hostages and Gaza water supply
By Harriet Marsden, 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