FOR THE WEEK OF NOV. 02, 2015

Obama takes new military step to fight ISIS extremist group in Syria

Our president feels forced to change one of his past pledges – though just slightly, so far. He's sending about 50 soldiers into northern Syria, something he vowed repeatedly not to do. But after a year of American air strikes and the failure of a U.S. program to build an army of Syrian rebels, President Obama last Friday ordered special operations troops to step up the war against the terrorist group known as ISIS (Islamic State In Syria). It's the most significant escalation so far in our campaign against the militant Muslim group that controls large areas in Iraq and Syria.

American ground fighters have struck inside Syria before in swift raids, but these four dozen military men will stay up to two months at the headquarters of U.S.-backed fighters from the region. They’re due to land by late this month, and the Pentagon says more could follow. The deployment follows the first death of an American military service member in the fight against ISIS. Master Sgt. Joshua Wheeler died Oct. 22 in Iraq during an otherwise successful rescue of hostages held by ISIS.

The White House says the Americans heading to Syria are advisers, not combat troops, but they’ll be in a zone where bullets, grenades and mortars don't make such a distinction. They have authority to engage the enemy if under fire. Other U.S. special operations forces already advise and assist Kurdish fighters against ISIS in northern Iraq, and overall the U.S. has more than 3,500 military members in Iraq.

White House says: "These forces do not have a combat mission." – Josh Earnest, presidential press secretary

Republican congressman says: "These steps may prove to be too little too late. I do not see a strategy for success. Rather, it seems the administration is trying to avoid a disaster while the president runs out the clock." – Rep. Mac Thornberry of Texas, head of the House Armed Services Committee

Past U.S. official says: "The special forces will . . . make these fighters batter strategically and better tactically, [and] help them make better decisions militarily." -- Michael Morrell, former deputy CIA director, speaking in video below

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