Yes, it will absolutely be an 'all-out war' against the barbaric and blood-thirsty Islamic State militants. But it might come at the cost of further American blood-bath too, only four years after Washington thought that it had left Iraqi war far behind in history.
President Barack Obama, in his prime-time speech on Thursday –thought to be the most important address to the nation in recent times – said that the Americans had been left with no option but to wage a war against the Islamic State jihadists, who have rattled Washington to the core.
"ISIL is a terrorist organization, pure and simple," he said while justifying the bloodshed that is likely to follow in weeks and months to come.
The president laid out four main ways as strategies to crush the hardliner Sunni militant group, which of late has triggered horror in US with the beheading videos of journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff:
1. 'A Systematic Campaign of Airstrikes against ISIL (IS)'
Obama said that the United States will work with the Iraqi government to expand Washington's efforts that goes "beyond protecting our own people and humanitarian missions". He said that US strikes will hit IS targets from air as Iraqi forces would go on offense.
"I have made it clear that we will hunt down terrorist who threaten our country, wherever they are," he said adding that they would be attacked both in Syria and Iraq.
2. Increased Support to Forces Fighting ISIL (IS) on the Ground
Vowing to send an additional 475 service members to Iraq, he said that American forces will support Iraq's efforts with support such as training, intelligence and equipment. He also said that in the fight, the US could not rely on Assad regime "that terrorizes its own people – a regime that will never regain the legitimacy it has lost."
Instead, the opposition must be strengthened as the best 'counterweight' to the extremist, he said.
3. Drawing on US' 'Substantial Counterterrorism Capabilities' to Prevent Future Attacks
Obama also said that no stones will be left unturned to see that the militants' funding is cut off while at the same time improving the intelligence, defense and finding ways to counter the ideology of the group. There will be much attention focussed on ensuring that there is no flow of foreign fighters into and out of the Middle East.
4. Providing Humanitarian Assistance to Displayed Civilians
The President said that one of the priorities is to give shelter and food to innocent civilians displaced and injured in the conflict. "This includes Sunni and Shia Muslims who are at grave risk, as well as tens of thousands of Christians and other religious minorities. We cannot allow these communities to be driven from their ancient homelands," the president said.
