War

My Way News - Pentagon: US, partners begin airstrikes in Syria
My Way News reports: "The U.S. and five Arab countries launched airstrikes Monday night on Islamic State group targets in Syria, expanding a military campaign into a country whose three-year civil war has given the brutal militant group a safe haven. Using a mix of manned aircraft — fighter jets and bombers — plus Tomahawk cruise missiles, the strikes were part of the expanded military campaign that President Barack Obama authorized nearly two weeks ago in order to disrupt and destroy the Islamic State militants, who have slaughtered thousands of people, beheaded Westerners — including two American journalists — and captured large swaths of Syria and northern and western Iraq."

Comment: Although the U.S. has previously launched airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq this is the first real attack by coalition forces in Syria and represents an internationalization of the war effort. The alliance seems well coordinated at this point but it remains to be seen if anyone will step forward to offer ground troops since the U.S. has abstained (abdicated) that role.