News broke yesterday (Sept. 2) that American journalist Steven Sotloff had been beheaded by Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) terrorists. The execution was filmed by jihadists; U.S. authorities confirmed the authenticity of the video overnight. President Obama has now responded to the threat that ISIS presents.
ABC News reports that President Obama condemned the “horrific act of violence” in a press conference, but left some confused about the president’s plans of action.
The first statement President Obama made promised the “justice will be done.” He continued, “The bottom line is this: Our objective is clear and that is to degrade and destroy ISIL so it is no longer a threat.”
A later statement was less direct with plans to “destroy” the terrorist organization.
“We know that if we are joined by the international community, we can continue to shrink ISIL’s sphere of influence, its effectiveness, its military capability to the point where it is a manageable problem,” he said.
The President has made one significant move recently, announcing Tuesday that 350 U.S. troops would be deployed to Iraq. However, these troops are designated as security forces to protect American diplomats working in the nation, not to combat ISIS militants.
Publication date: September 3, 2014
