* A systematic campaign of airstrikes against IS targets "wherever they are", including in Syria;

* Increased support for allied ground forces fighting against IS - but not President Assad of Syria;

* More counter-terrorism efforts to cut off the group's funding and help stem the flow of fighters into the ME;

* Continuing humanitarian assistance to civilians affected by the IS advance line

.
=================
more from the BBC article:

The US has launched over 150 airstrikes against the group in Iraq and provided arms to Iraqi and Kurdish forces fighting against IS.

In a 15-minute speech shown at peak time in the US, President Obama vowed that America would lead "a broad coalition to roll back" IS.

"Working with the Iraqi government, we will expand our efforts beyond protecting our own people and humanitarian missions, so that we're hitting Isil { Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant - the previous name for IS} targets as Iraqi forces go on the offense" he said.

He said he would welcome congressional approval for the fight against IS but said that he had the authority to act without it.

President Obama was elected in part because of fervent opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and presided over the US troop pullout from the country.
===================

from NYT: Obama ISIS Speech - FULL:

Outlining a Battle Plan | The New York Times, 9/10/14:

Or will they wear boots?

And will those boots ever touch Iraq soil AKA "ground"?

Inquiring minds wonder about these things.

I was just trying to figure out exactly what has changed and I'm not sure that this isn't another speak- forcefully-but-do-very-little speech which is something PBO has deployed very effectively in similar circumstances:

http://www.11alive.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/09/10/full-text-obama-speech/15423111/

The big news is that the anti-ISIL airstrikes will now be conducted in Syria as well as Iraq, or might be at some unspecified future moment ("I will not hesitate to take action," not "The bombs started falling last night&quot , presumably -- though I don't see it mentioned -- with Mr Assad's knowledge if not approval if not courteous cooperation if not aid and comfort, which puts a whole new spin on the affair doesn't it?

First, we will conduct a systematic campaign of airstrikes against these terrorists. Working with the Iraqi government, we will expand our efforts beyond protecting our own people and humanitarian missions, so that we're hitting ISIL targets as Iraqi forces go on offense. Moreover, I have made it clear that we will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are. 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.

When are the Saudis going to stand up and help their neighbors?

Very interesting speech when you get down to brass tacks.

Very Important and take what you can get. The ME is awash with symbiotic relationships there and elsewhere.

We need to figure out where the money comes from, but we must respect everyone's privacy in the process. No profiling, no following people leaving the U.S. unless they are carrying a big sign that says, "Hi, I'm on my way to join up with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant".

Fuq what a mess. EVERY decision has bad consequences.

This pretty much sums up my entire philosophy on our involvement in the ME.

"It is America that has rallied the world against Russian aggression, and in support of the Ukrainian peoples' right to determine their own destiny."

I guess that was to reassure the neo-cons that we still love 'em even though we're staying the hell out of Ukraine.

But even in Iraq, America sought to work within the international system. We did not claim or annex Iraq’s territory. We did not grab its resources for our own gain. Instead, we ended our war and left Iraq to its people in a fully sovereign Iraqi state that can make decisions about its own future.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/transcript-president-obama-gives-speech-addressing-europe-russia-on-march-26/2014/03/26/07ae80ae-b503-11e3-b899-20667de76985_story.html

Yeah, right, whatever dude ...

If it means "Chevron" then we most certainly DID!

Uh...I don't think so.

Our wars in the Middle East have been a complete waste of treasury and lives. We should let the people that live in those lands decide their own fate.

Official notification of last month's announcement of air strikes and unofficial declaration that the war against Assad is no longer on the table. We're a long way away from Rummy.

From the speech:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/11/world/middleeast/obamas-remarks-on-the-fight-against-isis.html

Perhaps that Nobel Peace Prize was a tad premature....

I suppose it depends on what the religion defines as "innocent" but it also brings to mind the battle cry of Vietnam: "Kill them all. Let God sort it out."

Also Mark Twain's "War Prayer"
http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/making/warprayer.html

Thanks for the link.

For those of you who are students of our nation's many military entanglements, this is classic, American style "Mission Creep." A textbook example unfolding right before our horrified eyes.

Whatever happened to our actions being limited to "Protecting our people in Iraq?" Now we're attacking IS targets "Wherever they may be!"

This will not end well, not for us anyway.