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FEDERALhearing transcript

High Impact

Congressional Hearing on Global ISIS Strategy

Original title: FROM IRAQ AND SYRIA TO LIBYA AND BEYOND: THE EVOLVING ISIL THREAT

January 1, 2016

foreign policy national security ISIS military strategy counter-terrorism

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing documents the official U.S. government assessment of the ISIS threat and the effectiveness of military and diplomatic efforts to contain the group as of early 2016.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

U.S. Military

The military is responsible for executing the air strikes and special operations strategies discussed in the hearing.

Iraqi Government

The government's ability to include Sunni forces and manage internal security is a central focus of the committee's oversight.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2016.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House Committee on Foreign Affairs held a hearing on February 10, 2016, to evaluate the U.S. government's strategy for countering the expansion of ISIS in Iraq, Syria, Libya, and other regions. The session featured testimony from Brett McGurk, the for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, regarding military progress and regional political challenges.

Key Facts

The hearing took place on February 10, 2016, in the Rayburn House Office Building.
Brett McGurk served as the primary witness representing the U.S. Department of State.
Chairman Royce stated that ISIS-linked groups were present in 21 countries at the time of the hearing.
The committee discussed the December 2015 retaking of Ramadi, Iraq, from ISIS control.
The committee noted that ISIS-controlled oil installations in Syria were being targeted by U.S. air strikes.
Chairman Royce reported that ISIS forces in Libya had doubled in size to approximately 6,000 fighters.
The hearing addressed concerns regarding the Iraqi government's inclusion of Sunni forces in the military and political process.
The committee reviewed the scale of U.S. air strikes, noting an average of 23 strikes per day at the time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?

To review the U.S. strategy for countering the evolving threat posed by ISIS across Iraq, Syria, Libya, and other global regions.

Who testified at this hearing?

Brett McGurk, the for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL.

Why It Matters

This hearing documents the official U.S. government assessment of the ISIS threat and the effectiveness of military and diplomatic efforts to contain the group as of early 2016.

News Coverage

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Shift in Air Strike Targets

The hearing notes a specific change in policy to begin targeting ISIS-controlled oil installations in Syria, which were previously not being bombed.

ISIS

Connected Entities

organizationISIS“The primary subject of the counter-terrorism strategy discussion”Map →

organizationHouse Committee on Foreign Affairs“Congressional committee conducting the hearing”Map →

personEdward R. Royce“Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs”Map →

personBrett McGurk“Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance80
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy60
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment20
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz10
Current news / social attention level

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