U.S. Navy/Reuters
On Saturday, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel ordered the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush to the Persian Gulf, a sign the U.S. may launch an air strike attack against Iraqi insurgents. The Pentagon said in a statement that the aircraft carrier gives the president “additional flexibility” to protect Americans in Iraq. The USS George H.W. Bush will be accompanied by guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea and the guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun. With the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria's (ISIS) takeover in many Iraqi cities this past week, the Iraqi government has asked for U.S. help. Obama has made it clear he will not send troops to Iraq, but that we will “do our part.” Launching air strikes could be Obama's plan for striking that balance. The Pentagon sustains the aircraft carrier's move is only a precaution "should military options be required to protect American lives, citizens and interests in Iraq."