WASHINGTON—This year, President Barack Obama has laid out goals to “destroy” the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). “America will lead a broad coalition to roll back this terrorist threat,” he said to the American people on Sept. 10.
Congress has held back since this summer on approving the president’s actions of sending additional military advisors to Iraq, followed by humanitarian aid and airstrikes. Funding for this war—a term the administration uses—was attached to the continuing resolution that funds the government until Dec. 11, although ISIL by name was not stated. It included $500 million for training and equipping Syrian rebels, according to Roll Call.
Smoke rises after an airstrike from US-led coalition against IS militants in the Syrian town of Kobane, also known as Ain al-Arab, as it is seen from the Turkish southeastern border village of Mursitpinar, Sanliurfa province, on Nov. 8, 2014. Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images
