President Obama didn't completely rule out sending American troops back to Iraq
President Obama didn’t completely rule out sending U.S. troops back to Iraq. During a press conference last Thursday, President Obama pointed out the steps he is taking that could lead to military intervention in the country.
“-in recent days, we’ve positioned additional U.S. military assets in the region. Because of our increased intelligence resources, we’re developing more information about potential targets associated with ISIL. And going forward, we will be prepared to take targeted and precise military action, if and when we determine that the situation on the ground requires it,” said President Obama.
The president noted that he is using more resources (“intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets”), which have provided him and his team with greater information about the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant’s (ISIL) whereabouts and activities.
President Obama highlighted the work the U.S. is doing with the Iraqi military in order to counter ISIL’s threat.
He also mentioned the Counterterrorism Partnership Fund, which is being used to provide more equipment to the Iraqi military.
President Obama further noted that he is sending 300 advisers, which arrived in Baghdad over the weekend, to help train and advise the Iraqi military.
A day before the press conference, President Obama met with congressional leaders from the House and Senate.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) stated that President Obama does not need Congress’ permission to go to war in Iraq.
Her statement triggered questions about whether the president will be in violation of the War Powers Act if he goes to war in Iraq without congressional approval.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who did not support the president possibly going to war in Syria without congressional approval, has maintained his position that President Obama’s needs to get congressional approval in order to go to war.
Roll Call quoted Paul as saying, “This is a debate we’ve had and the Obama administration as well as many Republicans think that you can stay at war forever based on [the] 2001 use of authorization of force. I don’t agree with that.”
President Obama, however, stated that he will not act without discussing “the situation” with Congress and the Iraqi leaders.
“-in recent days, we’ve positioned additional U.S. military assets in the region. Because of our increased intelligence resources, we’re developing more information about potential targets associated with ISIL. And going forward, we will be prepared to take targeted and precise military action, if and when we determine that the situation on the ground requires it,” said President Obama.
The president noted that he is using more resources (“intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets”), which have provided him and his team with greater information about the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant’s (ISIL) whereabouts and activities.
President Obama highlighted the work the U.S. is doing with the Iraqi military in order to counter ISIL’s threat.
He also mentioned the Counterterrorism Partnership Fund, which is being used to provide more equipment to the Iraqi military.
President Obama further noted that he is sending 300 advisers, which arrived in Baghdad over the weekend, to help train and advise the Iraqi military.
A day before the press conference, President Obama met with congressional leaders from the House and Senate.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) stated that President Obama does not need Congress’ permission to go to war in Iraq.
Her statement triggered questions about whether the president will be in violation of the War Powers Act if he goes to war in Iraq without congressional approval.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who did not support the president possibly going to war in Syria without congressional approval, has maintained his position that President Obama’s needs to get congressional approval in order to go to war.
Roll Call quoted Paul as saying, “This is a debate we’ve had and the Obama administration as well as many Republicans think that you can stay at war forever based on [the] 2001 use of authorization of force. I don’t agree with that.”
President Obama, however, stated that he will not act without discussing “the situation” with Congress and the Iraqi leaders.
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