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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama could soon have the authority he asked Congress to give him to order training and arming of moderate rebels in Syria as a counterweight to Islamic State militants. The House is likely to approve the request today though some lawmakers are still concerned about who is getting arms and whether administration plans go far enough.
BEIRUT (AP) — The militant Islamic State group has issued a video warning to Washington today saying if the U.S. sends ground troops to Iraq there will be fighters waiting for them. The White House says ground troops aren't part of the plan. The video could be a response to Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who said in Senate testimony that he may recommend the use of ground troops under certain circumstances.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Florida, is hosting the commander in chief today. President Barack Obama is consulting with military officials about the U.S. counterterrorism campaign against Islamic State militants. Obama will focus on yet another crisis tomorrow when he meets with Ukraine's president.
PARIS (AP) — An operation by French authorities has targeted recruiters for Islamic militant groups. France's top security official says five people have been arrested on suspicion of belonging to a ring that recruits young women to join militants in Syria. Young French men and women make up the largest contingent of European jihadis fighting in Syria. Security officials worry they'll eventually come home to wreak havoc.
DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) — The cease-fire in Eastern Ukraine continues to be a fragile thing. The city council of Donetsk confirms that shells hit a neighborhood in the north of the city today. Officials say two people were killed and three others wounded. Despite the cease-fire and a law passed by the Ukrainian parliament granting greater autonomy to eastern rebels, civilian casualties have continued to rise.
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