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Six things we learnt from Barack Obama' s Isis speech

Dina RickmanSep 11, 2014

1 He finally has a strategy Degrade and destroy Isis

This involves a "systematic campaign" of airstrikes which would not be limited to Iraq: Barack Obama said he would "not hesitate" to take action in Syria. Obama also announced 475 US military personnel will be sent to Iraq, but stressed they will not have a combat role and instead would support Iraqi and Kurdish forces. As well as airstrikes, the US also plan to ramp up intelligence gathering efforts and provide humanitarian assistance to those displaced by Isis. In a nutshell: "We will degrade and ultimately destroy Isil through a comprehensive and sustained counter-terrorism strategy."

2 Obama wants us to know this is not the third Iraq war

Obama was unequivocal on this point, stressing "we will not get dragged into another ground war in Iraq". He went on: "I want the American people to understand how this effort will be different from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It will not involve American combat troops fighting on foreign soil."

3 The fight against Isis is not just America' s fight

Obama said America would support Iraq's effort to strengthen its army and support communities under Isis control to free themselves: "We cannot do for Iraqis what they must do for themselves, nor can we take the place of Arab partners in securing their region."

4 The US is committed to taking out Isis wherever they are

The president said he would "relentless effort to take out Isil wherever they exist", which potentially means beyond both Iraq and even Syria.

5 There is no evidence that Isis is currently planning an attack on America

Obama wants to attack them in case they become a threat to the US. He said: "if left unchecked, these terrorists could pose a growing threat beyond that region, including to the United States".

6 He knows what to call Isis and it' s not Isis

Throughout his speech Obama called the group Isil (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). He said while Isis call themselves the Islamic State they are not Islamic: their acts are not Islamic, the majority of their victims are Muslim, and nor do they have a state. More: Child meets Obama, does something you wish you had the guts to do More: Obama says he has no Isis strategy, does have a dazzling suit More: Obama's speech: full text

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