Obama asks for new war powers against ISIS

February 17, 2015 9:06 AM

Syrian fighter — In this Jan. 30, 2015 file photo, a Syrian Kurdish sniper looks at the rubble in the Syrian city of Ain al-Arab, also known as Kobani. Foreign fighters are streaming in unprecedented numbers to Syria and Iraq to battle for the Islamic State or other U.S. foes, including at least 3,400 from Western nations and 150 Americans, U.S. intelligence officials conclude.
AP file

After more than six months of defensive airstrikes against the Islamic State, President Obama asked Congress for the power of military action against ISIS last week.

From New York Times:

The request, which could come in writing as early as Wednesday morning, would open what is expected to be a monthslong debate over presidential war powers and the wisdom of committing to another unpredictable mission in the Middle East while the nation is still struggling with the consequences of two prolonged wars.
Congress has not voted to give a president formal authority for a military operation since 2002 when it backed George W. Bush in his campaign to strike Iraq after his administration promoted evidence, since discredited, that Saddam Hussein's government possessed unconventional weapons.

Two guests join MPR News' Tom Crann to discuss the domestic side of fighting terrorism abroad. What would a formal declaration mean to our allies and how would the United States attack a group like ISIS?

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