Globe Trot: Obama to unveil anti-ISIS strategy

IRAQ: During a week marking the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, President Barack Obama plans to outline a plan for expanding the U.S. military campaign against the extremist group ISIS, also known as ISIL or Islamic State.

“We’re going to systematically degrade their capabilities,” the president said during an interview with Meet the Press on Sunday. “We’re going to shrink the territory that they control. And ultimately we’re going to defeat them.”

Obama is set to deliver a speech to the American public on Wednesday describing his plans to confront the terror group that has seized cities in Northern Iraq, persecuted Iraqi Christians, and publicly beheaded two American citizens.

A month of American air strikes in Iraq intensified Sunday as bombers hit ISIS militants trying to seize control of the strategic Haditha Dam. The president may announce U.S. airstrikes will expand to hit ISIS strongholds in Syria.

LIBYA: This week also marks the second anniversary of the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. The attack killed four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens, and still leaves unanswered questions about how U.S. officials handled the assault.

Speaking of Libyan security concerns, a Washington newspaper cited anonymous intelligence sources saying 11 commercial airliners were missing from Libya’s main airport in Tripoli. The Washington Free Beacon reported some have fears militants could use the planes for another 9/11-style attack, perhaps on foreign soil.

NICARAUGUA: With war raging around the world, Nicaraguans living in the capital city of Managua were relieved to learn the enormous boom they heard on Saturday night wasn’t a bomb—it was a meteor that left a 40-foot wide crater. Thankfully, the meteor didn’t hurt people or property when it fell near the airport in the city of 1 million residents.

ROYAL NEWS: It looks like England’s favorite baby will soon share the royal spotlight: Prince William and his wife Kate announced they are expecting their second child. The couple’s son, Prince George, turned 1 year old in July.

WORLD has published a list of aid agencies assisting displaced Christians in Iraq.