Obama ISIL Speech

President Obama had a clear and confident message that America, as an international power, will "degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL." The Commander-in-Chief was quick to reference recent, past success the United States has had against terrorism, including the killing of Osama bin Laden as well as other Al Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The President also urged the nation that this effort will be much different than past attacks, with no use of American combat forces on the ground and many more air strikes to be used instead.  Obama used some persuasive language to leave as little doubt as possible in the minds of the American people, such as when he enforced, "I want you to know that the United States is meeting threats with strength and resolve."

The message was delivered with optimism and poise, with Obama assuring the country that the U.S. will not only be successful in defeating ISIL, yet will also continue to return troops home. The President had a powerful tone throughout the entire speech, seemingly ready to take on this challenge instead of shying away from it. There was no weak sign of body language, as Obama firmly stood and delivered his message that America "Welcomes our responsibility to lead." The part of the message that stood out the most to me was toward the end, when Obama got a bit off topic from ISIL but instead focused on how the United States are, "better positioned today to seize the future than any other nation in the world." While this message surely backs up the decision to continue to fight against ISIL, it also gives encouragement to the people of America on their futures and determination to keep working hard.  This quote shows that Obama truly believes that he has support from the country, as well as that he has faith in the American people to continue to support him as leader of the United States.

The media truth that stood out to me the most was that nothing is new, and that everything that happens in the past will happen again. This stands out because the war on terrorism has seemingly been going on forever. I can't remember the last time I have watched the news without there being a story on the war overseas, wether it be in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, etc. Whenever there is a war, there will be rulers assuring their country that they will protect them, and do whatever it takes to protect their best interests. That is exactly what Obama was trying to accomplish in this speech, and I'm sure he may make another speech very similar to it in the near future.