The Islamic State—Frequently Asked Questions: Threats, Global Implications, and U.S. Policy Responses

"When addressing threats emanating from the Islamic State (IS), numerous strategy and operational considerations arise that might be of interest to U.S. policymakers, especially in the wake of the deadly November 13, 2015, terrorist attacks in Paris. IS activities and U.S. and coalition party policy and operational responses are an amalgam of complex, and at times competing, challenges. Since the establishment of IS, its strategic objectives and tactical activities have evolved, gaining strength in some areas and having its capability degraded in others. U.S. and other nations’ responses continue to evolve as the threat posed by IS changes. Contained in this report are short answers to related frequently answered questions. Each section contains references to CRS reports that address the question in greater detail. This report will be updated as additional products become available and events warrant..."
Islamic State

Here's What You Need to Know About Our Strategy to Defeat ISIL

"Summary: A progress update on our fight against ISIL in the wake of the recent attacks in Paris.

There's no question that the tragic events in Paris underscore the urgency of our campaign to defeat and ultimately destroy ISIL. As President Obama has said, the fight against ISIL will be long -- ISIL is a determined, well-resourced, and brutal enemy that aims to establish branches beyond Iraq and Syria, preying on vulnerable populations. 

This is why, at the President’s direction, the U.S. government for more than a year has executed a comprehensive and sustained strategy to defeat ISIL. Since last summer, we’ve built a global coalition of 65 partners who are working together to degrade and destroy ISIL..."
ISIL defeat strategy

Coalition Contributions to Countering the Islamic State

"The Global Campaign to Counter the Islamic State
On September 10, 2014, President Obama announced the formation of a global coalition to “degrade and ultimately defeat” the Islamic State (IS, aka the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, ISIL/ISIS or the Arabic acronym Daesh). Subsequently, some 60 nations and partner organizations agreed to participate, contributing either military forces or resources (or both) to the campaign. In Brussels in December 2014, these sixty partners agreed to organize themselves along five “lines of effort,” (by contrast, the U.S. strategy involves nine lines of effort), with at least two countries in the lead for each:
• Supporting military operations, capacity building, and training (led by the United States and Iraq);
• Stopping the flow of foreign terrorist fighters (led by The Netherlands and Turkey);
 • Cutting off IS access to financing and funding (led by Italy, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States);
 • Addressing associated humanitarian relief and crises (led by Germany and the United Arab Emirates);
and • Exposing IS’ true nature (led by the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States)..."
Islamic State