Obama picks up support for battle strategy against Islamic State

Read the Full Transcript

• JUDY WOODRUFF:

  President Obama picked up support at home and abroad today for the growing battle against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. It came the day after his televised address to the nation.

  Our chief foreign affairs correspondent, Margaret Warner, reports.

• PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA:

  If you threaten America, you will find no safe haven.

• MARGARET WARNER:

  With that stark warning, the president last night issued a call to arms against Islamic State militants, both for Americans and potential allies.

• PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA:

  America will be joined by a broad coalition of partners. Already, allies are flying planes with us over Iraq, sending arms and assistance to Iraqi security forces and the Syrian opposition, sharing intelligence and providing billions of dollars in humanitarian aid.

• MARGARET WARNER:

  And today, in Saudi Arabia, Secretary of State John Kerry appealed to Arab and Gulf leaders for their support and participation in the effort.

  JOHN KERRY, Secretary of State: This is a moment which is one of those rare opportunities in history where leaders, making the right choices, can actually bend the arc of history in the right direction, in the goals — direction of the goals that we share, peace and prosperity and security for all.

• MARGARET WARNER:

  The Saudis and other Arab states pledged to stop the flow of foreign fighters and funding to the Islamic State group. They also talked of joining a military campaign — quote — "as appropriate.' In Syria, reaction to President Obama's address was mixed. The Western-backed Syrian National Coalition welcomed the prospect of expanding U.S. airstrikes into Syria, even though they aren't to be directed against their number one target, Bashar Assad's government.

  But a Syrian government minister warned against any action without Syria's consent.

  ALI HAIDAR, Minister of National Reconciliation Affairs, Syria (through interpreter): Any action of any type without the approval of Syrian government is an aggression against Syria. In international law and political terms, there must be Syrian approval of any action, whether it is military or not.

• MARGARET WARNER:

  The Russian Foreign Ministry went further, saying an air campaign over Syria would have to have U.N. approval.

• ALEXANDER LUKASHEVICH, Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Russia (through interpreter):

  The president of the United States has clearly declared the possibility of U.S. military airstrikes on the territory of the Syrian Arab republic without the consent of the legitimate government. Such an action without a corresponding U.N. Security Council decision would be an act of aggression.

• MARGARET WARNER:

  Back in Washington, President Obama focused on winning congressional support. Last night, he said he has all the authority needs for beefed-up airstrikes. But he urged Congress to approve an overt program to upgrade and professionalize the moderate rebel factions in Syria facing Islamic State pressure.

• PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA:

  We have ramped up our military assistance to the Syrian opposition. Tonight, I call on Congress again to give us additional authorities and resources to train and equip these fighters.

• MARGARET WARNER:

  For the most part, Republican and Democratic leaders voiced initial support. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid:

• SEN. HARRY REID, Majority Leader:

  What we need to do is make sure that we can take care of what we need to do, and that is train and equip the rebels and make sure that we don't do anything that is rash. We have to be very calm and deliberate, and we as a country have to pull together on this.

• MARGARET WARNER:

  House Speaker John Boehner likewise called for giving the president what he's asking for. At the same time, he said many Republicans have doubts about the strategy against the Islamic State group, also known as ISIL.

  REP. JOHN BOEHNER, Speaker of the House: I'm not sure that we're doing all that we can do to defeat this terrorist threat, and if our goal is to eliminate ISIL, there is a lot of doubt whether the plan that was outlined by the president last night is enough to accomplish that mission.

• MARGARET WARNER:

  Other Republicans said they still believe it will take U.S. combat troops to defeat the militants, something the president said last night he will not authorize.

• JUDY WOODRUFF:

  Late today, the Associated Press reported the president will name retired U.S. Marine General John Allen to coordinate global efforts against Islamic State forces. We will hear the perspectives of the White House and a top House Republican on all of this right after the news summary.