London (CNN) -- U.S. President Barack Obama's plan to expand the military campaign against ISIS terrorists into Syria, and to boost American backing for rebels fighting Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, represents a grave escalation that risks dragging the U.S. and its allies into an open-ended regional war. 

In his televized speech to the nation on Wednesday evening, Obama argued his proposed strategy of extended air strikes and use of local ground forces (but not American combat troops) against the extremists also known as ISIL and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria was fundamentally different from past White House policies that led the U.S. to fight two Middle East ground wars in as many decades. 

But Obama, as he has shown repeatedly since 2008, is a reluctant warrior with no particular expertise in armed conflict. No doubt John F. Kennedy felt that he, too, understood the risks when he started sending American advisors to Saigon in the early 1960s. Like JFK, he may be starting a fight he cannot finish, which will run on and on for untold years. 

Obama, who came to office wearing the mantle of a man of peace and agent of change, has ultimately proved little different in this respect from predecessors such as Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. His tone on television was nationalistic and bombastic. American primacy, he said, was "the one constant in an uncertain world." He continued: "Our endless blessings bestow an enduring burden. But as Americans, we welcome our responsibility to lead."  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. How does the author view Barack Obama's plan?
2. What does Barack Obama's plan symbolize to the person that wrote the article?
3. 
Q2:
1. What did Barack Obama argue in his televised speech?
2. What was Barack Obama trying to convince people of in his speech on tv?
3. 
Q3:
1. According to the author, what has Barack Obama shown repeatedly since 2008?
2. What has been Obama's tendency since 2008, in the author's opinion?
3. 
Q4:
1. What president thought they understood the risks in sending soldiers to Saigon in the early 60s?
2. What was the name of the president who thought he knew what he was doing sending troops to Saigon?
3. 
Q5:
1. Does the article state that Barack Obama became president under a mantle of peace?
2. Does the article use the term mantle of peace when referencing Barack Obama's inauguration?
3. 
Q6:
1. Which of Barack Obama's predecessors does the article say he resembles?
2. What former president does the article say Barack Obama is like?
3. 
Q7:
1. What did Barack Obama say about US primacy?
2. What was Barack Obama's statement regarding US Primacy?
3. 
Q8:
1. What tone did Barack Obama take when discussing US primacy?
2. How did Barack Obama speak on TV about the United States' place in the world?
3. 
Q9:
1. What extremist groups is Barack Obama trying to deter?
2. What terrorist group is Barack Obama attempting to tame?
3. 
Q10:
1. How does the article compare Barack Obama to JFK?
2. What does the article say Barack Obama is doing in the same manner as JFK?
3. 
