US President Barack Obama is expected to authorize airstrikes in Syria as part of a strategy “to battle the the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group,” without the consent of the Syrian government.
Despite devoting much of his presidency to exiting Middle Eastern entanglements and avoiding new ones, Obama is said to be ready to tell Americans on Wednesday that he is prepared to expand airstrikes on ISIS into Syria.
"You will hear from the President how the United States will pursue a comprehensive strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIS," a senior official said on condition of anonymity.
The plan will include US military action against Islamic State forces and new support for the opposition in Syria and the new "inclusive" government in Iraq, the official said.