Since September of 2014 the United States, as well as a number of European and Arab nations, has been fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). In February, President Barack Obama officially requested congress to approve a bill of Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) against ISIS, which would allow US ground troops to enter Iraq.
The use of air strikes has been the main method of targeting the terrorist organization, but has done little to stop them from gaining recruits and attacking coalition forces.

ISIS is known for its cruel and heinous methods of gaining power throughout Iraq and Syria in an effort to form a “Caliphate” or a massive Sunni Muslim state. Beheadings, crucifixions, and genocide are some of the practices the extremist group uses to spread their message. ISIS even uses rape as a weapon to suppress women in the Middle East.  The execution of American journalist James Foley in August was prompted by Americas bombing of Islamic instillations. Instead of lessening involvement, Foleys execution only promoted President Obama to consider further action.

If the new bill receives bipartisan support, it will replace an earlier AUMF in Iraq from 2002 that never officially ended. Obama believes this will strengthen resolve. When Obama proposed the bill in Washington, he stated, “We can show our troops and the world that Americans are united in this mission.”

From there, both parties will need to agree upon the language and legal grasp of the bill. But so far both Republicans and Democrats have very different ideas for how a new AUMF should be carried out. Republicans want little to no limitations on US ground troops and are fully prepared to support Obama in his fight against the Islamic State. Democrats believe tight restrictions should be in place for the use of force. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois is wary of the new bill and says that if lawmakers are not careful it “could lead to another major war.”

As it currently stands, the proposed bill will authorize limited use of ground forces only under certain circumstances. Gathering intelligence and carrying out rescue operations are two of the less substantial circumstances of the bill whereas the other two more controversial. The first: ground troops will “offer advice and ‘assistance’ to partner forces,” exactly what type of assistance has yet to be specified, and the second: special forces groups will be tasked in “targeting Islamic State Leadership.”

The duration of the bill is set to last three years, in which time Obama and the president after him will need to routinely keep congress updated on ground forces. Section four of the bill states, “The President shall report to Congress at least once every six months on specific actions taken pursuant to this authorization.” The AUMF will be terminated at the end of three years if the next president and congress decide not to reinstate it.

The United States is not the only country adamant about stopping ISIS. Shortly after the U.S. declared action, more than 50 other countries have shown support. France has already begun bombing hostile targets in Iraq while the Netherlands, Denmark, and Belgium plan on sending air and ground troops in.

“This is not a threat on the far side of the world.” British Prime Minister David Cameron warned parliament in his proposal to for Britain to enter the anti-ISIS campaign. “Left unchecked, we will face a terrorist caliphate … with a declared and proven determination to attack our country and our people.”

At the White House Summit to Counter Violent Extremism, Obama said, “When people spew hatred towards others because of their faith or because they’re immigrants, it feeds terrorist narratives… We can’t allow cycles of suspicions to tear at the fabric of our countries.”