BEIRUT: The majority of the Arab public opposes ISIS and supports the U.S.-led coalition airstrikes against the group’s elements in Syria and Iraq, according to a survey. However, most Arabs still believe that Washington and its closest ally, Israel, remain the greatest threat to the region. The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies […]

Though President Barack Obama’s administration has touted the consistency of its military approach to the Islamic State, its public statements have continually evolved.

Notably, Obama has repeatedly and passionately insisted no US troops will be actively involved in ground operations — though they will have weapons and be prepared to shoot back if needed.

However, there have been some indications that US troops are already fighting the Islamic State (also known as ISIS or ISIL) on the ground. Additionally, in recent days and weeks, the US’ top military commander opened the door to using ground troops in order to retake Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, from the jihadist forces.

"I’m not predicting at this point that I would recommend that those forces in Mosul and along the border would need to be accompanied by US forces, but we’re certainly considering it," Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey said on Thursday.

In order to keep track of this evolution, Business Insider created a timeline of the US’ role in the fight against the Islamic State.

  BEIRUT: The Lebanese Army was the first military to defeat ISIS, Czech Foreign Minister said Wednesday, adding that his country may send weapons to support Lebanon in its battle against jihadists. “I salute Lebanon and its army for what it has shown in its capacity to confront the dangerous attack by the ISIS group,” […]

  The Lebanese army said on Thursday it has arrested two terrorist leaders involved in attacks on the military during the clashes in northern Lebanon last month. An army communique said the military intelligence apprehended on Wednesday Ayman Abdul Hamid Mheish who leads a terrorist group that was involved in a plot to kidnap Lebanese […]

  UNITED NATIONS: The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday urged Lebanon’s parliament to quickly choose a new president to bolster stability as war rages across the border in Syria. Lebanon has been without a president, who is also the commander-in-chief, since May because of disagreements between lawmakers. The 15-member council "expressed concern at the prolonged […]

  BEIRUT: Political parties will only support a consensus candidate to become Lebanon’s new president, MP Marwan Hamade said Wednesday, dismissing both MP Michel Aoun’s and Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea’s chances to take the office. “Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah’s act of adopting Aoun as a presidential candidate has deprived the latter of his consensus aspect,” […]

  The March 14 alliance’s general-secretariat said Wednesday that the extension of parliament’s mandate for two years and seven months should not be taken as a principle. “The extension taking place in institutions can’t become a rule. The principle lies in respecting the state and its institutions and swiftly electing a president and approving a […]

  BEIRUT: The list reads like a who’s who of Lebanese eateries – Hawa Chicken, Spinneys, Roadster Diner and dozens of others – but this was no recognition of Lebanon’s famed cuisine: Tuesday afternoon the health minister named and shamed establishments across Lebanon serving unsafe food. “The Lebanese citizen’s food is not only dipped with […]

  TRIPOLI, Lebanon: The Lebanese Army raided Syrian refugee centers in the northern province of Akkar Tuesday, briefly arresting a number of individuals on suspicion of links to terrorist organizations. Security sources told The Daily Star the 6 a.m. raids took place in the Akkar town of Tal Abbas. They said the Army detained three […]

  Several terrorist detainees have confessed to a plot by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant to stage a ground offensive and control several regions in northern Lebanon to announce the establishment of the Islamic State in Lebanon. A high-ranking military source told al-Joumhouria newspaper published on Tuesday that Imad Jomaa, Ahmed Miqati […]