Republican Lawmaker: Obama Has Downplayed IS Threat_美文

Republican Lawmaker: Obama Has Downplayed IS Threat

Sunday night, Obama sought to reassure Americans in a rare prime-time televised address.

"We will destroy ISIL and any other organization that tries to harm us," he said, referring to an acronym for the Islamist group.

"Our success won't depend on tough talk, or abandoning our values, or giving into fear. That's what groups like ISIL are hoping for," the president continued. "Instead, we will prevail by being strong and smart, resilient and relentless, and by drawing upon every aspect of American power."

Response to Obama's speech has mostly fallen along party lines, with Republican presidential candidates criticizing him and many Democrats praising him.

Difficulties US faces

Independent analyst Seth Jones said Obama said a lot of the right things, but thinks he could be more forthcoming about the difficulties the U.S. is facing.

"But I still think there needs to be a franker recognition that the U.S. is struggling with this issue overseas, and I don't think he was completely forthright in noting that despite a withering air campaign that the Islamic State continues to hold big chunks in Iraq – including in Anbar province – and in Syria, in Raqqa, they've expanded into Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other locations," Jones said.

The president again called on Congress to do its part in the fight against IS by holding a vote on an Authorization of the Use of Military Force resolution, for the ongoing operations in Iraq and Syria. But so far Republican leaders have not brought the measure up for a vote.