Obama Doubles US Presence in Iraq

The US is about to double the number of American troops serving in Iraq, reports the Washington Post. President Obama has authorized deployment of another 1,500, though their mission will be to advise and train Iraqi and Kurdish troops in the fight against ISIS, not take part in combat. One new facet: The new American personnel will expand the US mission beyond the current cities of Baghdad and Erbil, reports AP. Obama also plans to ask Congress for $5.6 billion for the mission. One heavy focus will be in a section of Anbar Province now controlled by Islamic State militants, reports NBC News (which uses the phrase "Mission Creep?" in its headline).