BICOM

Media reports suggest that US President Barack Obama will ask Congress to quickly endorse the arming and training of moderate opposition forces in Syria.

Obama will address the nation this evening and is expected to set out his strategy for combatting ISIS. The recent beheading of two American journalists, one a dual Israeli citizen, enhanced global outrage at the brutality of ISIS in seizing large parts of Iraq and Syria. Having ruled out the intervention of US ground troops, AP says that Obama will request that Congress speedily approve a plan to train and equip selected moderate Syrian opposition groups which oppose both President Assad’s rule and the ambitions of ISIS.

Although according to AP, the White House yesterday said that Obama “has the authority he needs to take action,” it is thought that Congressional approval for such measures would send an effective message to other countries about the importance of joining an international effort to tackle ISIS. US Secretary of State John Kerry is travelling to Jordan and Saudi Arabia in order to secure regional support for such a coalition.

Although Israel is not likely to be formally involved in a potential regional coalition, a Reuters report yesterday suggested that Israel is providing valuable intelligence assistance to the United States regarding ISIS. A Western intelligence source is quoted saying that Israel is providing satellite imagery on ISIS positions and important information on Western recruits to the organisation.

AP this morning also suggests that Obama may be considering air strikes in Syria against ISIS positions. The US has already commenced aerial operations targeting ISIS in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government. However, similar action in Syria could prove more problematic. Without the acquiescence of the Assad regime, which the US has repeatedly called to stand down, Obama would likely need Congressional approval for such a strike.