The President of the United States Signs Executive Order to Combat ISIS

Donald Trump, continuing his issuance of executive orders as President of the United States, has requested the Department of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other security agencies to present a plan within 30 days to combat and destroy the group known as the 'Islamic State.' According to Reuters, this executive order asks experts to propose any necessary changes to U.S. laws to help identify new allies in the U.S.-led coalition and design a mechanism to counter the financial resources of ISIS. The executive order also calls for a complete breakdown of the costs associated with this plan. The President of the United States stated at the signing of this executive order, 'I think it will be very successful.' Reuters reports that James Mattis, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, has called for a more aggressive approach to combat ISIS, but the specifics of how this approach will be implemented are still not clearly defined. During Barack Obama's presidency, the U.S. formed a coalition to fight the 'Islamic State' in Iraq and Syria, as well as al-Qaeda branches in Syria. Washington's policy at that time focused on avoiding ground presence in battlefields—except for cases like advising or training—and utilizing local forces. The executive order to combat the group known as the Islamic State was issued on February 28, alongside two other orders: reorganizing the National Security Council and lobbying restrictions for government officials after leaving office.