National Security

President Obama's plan to degrade and destroy the Islamic state poses a challenge for members of his own party, who have traditionally provided the anti-war voices in Congress.

Obama's Hawkish Plan For Islamic State Puts Doves In A Quandary

10:05am September 15, 2014

by Tamara Keith

The president's proposal to degrade and destroy the Islamic State poses a challenge for members of his own party, who have traditionally provided the anti-war voices in Congress.

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Secretary of State John Kerry arrives at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, on Wednesday, ahead of a stop in Iraq. Kerry is hoping to nail down support for a U.S. plan to combat the Islamic State insurgency in Iraq and Syria.

Kerry Seeks Iraq's Support On Move Against Islamic State

3:49am September 15, 2014

by Scott Neuman

The secretary of state's visit to Baghdad comes ahead of President Obama's speech tonight to outline a plan to combat the militant group.

Islamic State Video Shows Execution Of British Aid Worker

11:56am September 14, 2014

The Islamic State militant group released a video showing the execution of British aid worker David Haines. NPR's Lynn Neary talks with NY Times reporter Steven Erlanger about the U.K. reaction.

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Will Obama's Plan Be Enough To Quell Islamic State?

11:56am September 14, 2014

Last week, President Obama laid out a plan to fight the Islamic State. NPR's Lynn Neary talks to David Rothkopf, CEO and editor of Foreign Policy magazine, about Obama's foreign policy strategy.

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Iraqi troops in Anbar province in June. It's unclear whether Sunnis will join the U.S. in the fight against the Islamic State.

U.S. Call To Fight Militants Stirs Bitter Memories For Iraq's Sunnis

11:56am September 14, 2014

by Alice Fordham

President Obama wants Sunnis to join the battle against the Islamic State. But those who helped fight al-Qaida several years ago feel abused by the Iraqi military, and now are not so eager to sign up.

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Millions watched President Obama's prime-time address this week, like these patrons of a San Francisco nail salon. But whether Americans will support his plan remains unclear.

Do Americans Support President Obama's ISIS Plan?

6:45pm September 12, 2014

by Scott Horsley

Of all the variables in the U.S. battle against the Islamic State, public opinion in America may be one of the hardest to predict.

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National

Court Documents Show How NSA Leaned On Yahoo, How Yahoo Fought Back

9:00am September 12, 2014

by Robert Siegel

Newly released court documents reveal details of a battle between Yahoo and the Obama administration. The government pressured Yahoo to disclose some users' data for a secret NSA surveillance program.

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A young Iraqi on Thursday stands amid the debris of a double car bomb attack in Baghdad. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. President Obama's plan to attack Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria will require help from partners on the grou

Obama's Plan: The Pros And Cons

8:14am September 12, 2014

by Greg Myre

The president has opted for an open-ended air campaign to fight the Islamic State. A look at what it will take to make the plan work and the risks that could cause it to fail.

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, on Capitol Hill on Thursday. Boehner says Congress stands ready to work with the president on the threat from Islamic State militants.

Boehner: House GOP 'Ready To Work With The President'

3:31pm September 11, 2014

by Scott Neuman

The House speaker said Congress "ought to give the president what he's asking for" but also expressed skepticism, saying the White House plan to defeat Islamic State militants doesn't go far enough.

President Obama delivers a prime-time address from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday. He pledged to lead a broad coalition against the Islamic State insurgents and vowed to target the terrorist group with airstrikes "wherever they exist."

Opinion Pages Offer Support On Plan To Combat Islamic State

1:25pm September 11, 2014

by Scott Neuman

Editorials in major U.S. dailies signaled cautious backing of President Obama's plan to broaden an American-led offensive against the insurgency.