WASHINGTON — Americans hoping to hear of a new strategy to confront ISIS instead got treated to some tough language from President Obama, who vowed Monday to “squeeze its heart” to make it harder for the jihadist group to “pump its terror” around the world.
Following a meeting with top generals and his security team at the Pentagon, Obama said his administration is “moving forward with a great sense of urgency” against the Islamic State.
The president used some of his toughest rhetoric yet, rolling out a long list of ISIS “thugs, thieves, and killers” taken out as the US-led coalition hits the group “harder than ever.”
“The point is, [ISIS] leaders cannot hide, and our next message to them is simple: ‘You are next,’ ” a stern Obama warned.
Despite success in killing some high-level ISIS figures in recent weeks, Obama acknowledged, “Progress needs to keep coming faster.”
Obama also dispatched Defense Secretary Ash Carter to the Middle East to rally allies, and will receive a counterterrorism briefing on Thursday.
The US-led coalition has launched hundreds of airstrikes against ISIS in recent days, but Obama faces calls from Republicans and Democrats to do more.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said, “The American people are smart enough to know when something is working or not, and it’s obvious that the president’s current strategy isn’t working.”