09-11-2014, 03:08 PM
Obama's State of Nation Address -- Syria Plan
In last night's State of the Nation address, Obama confirmed that the United States will take action against terrorists who threaten Americans, wherever they may be located. He mentioned the brutal killings of American journalists Foley and Sokoloff and said that while there is no credible intelligence that IS has plans to attack America, if left unchecked IS poses a threat to the US.
Obama noted that the Islamic State is not Islam and that no religion condones the killing of innocent civilians; the large majority of those killed by IS are Muslim (he also touched on the killings of Christians and other religious minorities in the region).
In regards to Syria specifically, he denounced Assad again and said that Assad's regime will never regain its legitimacy.
As for US action against IS(IL) in Syria, I got the impression that he is strongly leaning towards airstrikes and strongly considering arming some of the opposition/rebel forces to better defend themselves against IS. IMO, he is also hoping that arming local opposition will work against Assad -- I don't happen to agree with him on that point.
Whatever action he ultimately takes, Obama asked for support from Congress and he's already secured verbal support from both Republican and Democratic congresspersons on many of his plans while reiterating that he has the authority to act autonomously.
He also spoke about an international coalition to fight IS and his role in working with NATO on multi-national counter-terrorism measures (which must include Arab participation).
Here's a transcript of the address: http://www.npr.org/2014/09/10/347515100/...amic-state
In last night's State of the Nation address, Obama confirmed that the United States will take action against terrorists who threaten Americans, wherever they may be located. He mentioned the brutal killings of American journalists Foley and Sokoloff and said that while there is no credible intelligence that IS has plans to attack America, if left unchecked IS poses a threat to the US.
Obama noted that the Islamic State is not Islam and that no religion condones the killing of innocent civilians; the large majority of those killed by IS are Muslim (he also touched on the killings of Christians and other religious minorities in the region).
In regards to Syria specifically, he denounced Assad again and said that Assad's regime will never regain its legitimacy.
As for US action against IS(IL) in Syria, I got the impression that he is strongly leaning towards airstrikes and strongly considering arming some of the opposition/rebel forces to better defend themselves against IS. IMO, he is also hoping that arming local opposition will work against Assad -- I don't happen to agree with him on that point.
Whatever action he ultimately takes, Obama asked for support from Congress and he's already secured verbal support from both Republican and Democratic congresspersons on many of his plans while reiterating that he has the authority to act autonomously.
He also spoke about an international coalition to fight IS and his role in working with NATO on multi-national counter-terrorism measures (which must include Arab participation).
Here's a transcript of the address: http://www.npr.org/2014/09/10/347515100/...amic-state