Obama: IS fight will take time

Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS

President Barack Obama on Tuesday pledged all possible tools – military, intelligence and economic – to defeat the Islamic State group, but acknowledged the extremist group has taken root in Syria and Iraq, is resilient and continues to expand.

Obama hosted a U.N. gathering of world leaders working to expand the battle against terrorism, a day after he and the leaders of Russia, China and Iran addressed the General Assembly during its 70th anniversary. The fight against terrorism, particularly in Syria, has seized the attention of top officials, but there has been no overall agreement on how to end the conflict there.

“I have repeatedly said that our approach will take time. This is not an easy task,” Obama cautioned, while adding that he was “ultimately optimistic” the brutal organization would be defeated because it has nothing to offer but suffering and death.

“This is a long-term campaign – not only against this particular network, but against its ideology,” he said.

The meeting also heard from the Iraqi leader, who sought more help against IS in his country, and learned from Obama that Nigeria, Tunisia and Malaysia were added to the coalition fighting the group.

Meanwhile, the U.S. government announced sanctions Tuesday against 25 people and five groups connected to the Islamic State, disclosing intelligence that depicts a sprawling international organization with tentacles across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

The moves by the Treasury and State departments are aimed at disrupting the activities of Islamic State financial, logistical and recruiting operatives who may not be suitable targets of American bombs or drone strikes.