US President Barack Obama told his nation and the world that he is significantly expanding the military campaign against Sunni militants in Iraq and Syria.  But he took pains to contrast his plans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars started by his predecessor, emphasizing air strikes over “boots on the ground”.

“We will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are,” said President Obama.  “That means I will not hesitate to take action against ISIL in Syria, as well as Iraq.  This is a core principle of my presidency:  If you threaten America, you will find no safe haven.”  ISIL, ISIS, and Islamic State are alternative names for the same group of Sunni radicals that have captured territory in Iraq and Syria.

Mr. Obama said the US is recruiting an international coalition to “degrade and ultimately destroy” the militants.  Saudi Arabia will provide bases to train “moderate” militias in Syria to fight Islamic State and Bashar al-Assad’s forces.  France is offering to fly missions in Iraq, but says any action in Syria needs further consideration.  Britain is already 100 percent on board with Obama’s plan, and has a batch of weapons ready for Kurdish Peshmerga forces in northern Iraq. 

Australia already promised jet fighters to the coalition, but published reports say the US wants Special Air Service Regiment troops and Commandos to attack Islamic State assets on the ground.  A decision on that will come later.