Controversy Over Possible Renewed U.S. Military Action in Mideast

 Twitter: @markcurtisABC6  

“To deny safe haven to terrorists who threaten America,” said President Obama at his State of the Union Address.

It was the biggest surprise of the State of the Union address.

President Obama asking Congress for a formal authorization for him to take military action against the ISIS terrorist group.

We surveyed Brown University students for their thoughts.

Some back the idea.

“I think some sort of military intervention could be very well for the U.S.‘s benefit,” said students Jaemun Park.

“ISIS poses a huge threat to us and I think for the security of the nation here, that we should send troops back over there so that we can protect the liberty that we fight so hard for,” Wayenesha Blaylock.

Other students say, no way.

“That much death on both sides, even, I don’t think that’s right,” said student Alexa Andre.

“Now we’ve got a mess on our hands, so I think going back there again would be another mistake,” said Steven Bourget.

While the U.S. is using drone strikes, new ground troops in the Mideast are possible.

ABC6 Chief Political Reporter Mark Curtis said, “This may in fact be one of those odd occurrences where President Obama gets more support from conservative Republicans, than he does from his fellow liberal Democrats.”

But one military veteran we spoke with says – make no mistake – the U.S. is going to need ground troops to win.

“You are going to need boots on the ground, in order to identify where the pockets of terrorism are being holed up. And that will necessitate military being put into the line of fire,” said retired Marine Master Sergeant Steve Lamois.

While President Obama wants military authorization from Congress, so far no votes are scheduled.