By authorizing strikes , Obama 's decision marks a turning point in Iraq foreign policy . `` ( And ) the ability of al Qaeda and Islamist extremist groups to recruit away from the moderates would have been less . '' Obama 's reluctant action comes after GOP criticism of his foreign policy on Iraq and Syria . Obama said the U.S. was acting to protect Americans on the ground in Irbil . The White House has been criticized for not doing enough to help Iraqi forces retake Mosul from ISIS militants last month.
By authorizing strikes , Obama 's decision marks a turning point in Iraq foreign policy . Obama 's reluctant action comes after GOP criticism of his foreign policy on Iraq and Syria . Obama said the U.S. was acting to protect Americans on the ground in Irbil . The White House has been criticized for not doing enough to help Iraqi forces retake Mosul from ISIS militants last month.