In his prime time address, the president reminded people of the uniquely brutal character of ISIS.

"They execute captured prisoners," he said. "They kill children. They enslave, rape and force women into marriage. They threaten a religious minority with genocide."

Despite the militant's name, the president told Americans, "ISIL is not 'Islamic.' No religion condones the killing of innocents, and the vast majority of ISIL's victims have been Muslim."

In concert with its allies, the president says America will continue fighting the group from the air, coordinating with Iraqi security forces fighting on the ground. Obama also announced he's dispatching nearly 500 more U.S. troops to assist Iraq's security forces.

He also called on Congress to approve a program to train and arm moderate rebels in Syria who are fighting both ISIS and the Syrian Army. However, he insists no U.S. troops will be used in ground combat.

"This is not our fight alone," the president said. "We cannot do for Iraqis what they must do for themselves, nor can we take the place of Arab partners in securing their region."

The president also walked back an earlier statement saying he now won't hesitate taking action against ISIS in Syria.

"This is a core principle of my presidency," he says. "If you threaten America, you will find no safe haven."

Speaking on the eve of September 11, Obama says his administration is not aware of a credible threat of a potential attack by ISIS in the U.S. However, he did express concerns about Americans and Europeans who have joined the militant group returning to their home countries to launch attacks.

The president's pro-aggression stance is in contrast to the policy of his administration which has been to draw down forces in the Middle East.

However, recent polling shows a majority of Americans think the president isn't prepared to do what it takes to defeat ISIS and that he's weak and indecisive on foreign policy. Certainly the White House hopes this speech puts some of those concerns to rest.

The president has briefed House and Senate leaders in recent days.

House Speaker John Boehner says those briefings will continue and that he still has questions.

"A speech is not the same things as a strategy," he said in a statement. "While the president presented a compelling case for action, many questions remain about the way in which the president intends to act."

House Republicans plan to meet Thursday to discuss the situation.

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