President Obama greatly underestimated the threat posed by the Islamic State terrorist organization, which he dismissed as "junior varsity" a few months back. U.S. officials did likewise in estimating the group took over large portions of Iraq and got the world's attention with only 10,000 fighters. A new CIA assessment puts the number at between 20,000 and 31,500 fighters across Iraq and Syria.

Pundits are puzzling over why the president didn't name any members of a coalition to support the U.S. in military action against ISIS. The answer is simple: he didn't have any to name. Even the United Kingdom, America's closest friend, has held back on committing to participate in airstrikes.

 America is not at war with the forces whose murderous mission is painfully clear. Get that? The president and Secretary of State John Kerry insist the country is merely engaged in another "counter-terrorism operation." Early in his administration President Obama banished the phrase "war on terror", substituting "overseas contingency operation." It's a good bet combat troops won't be concerned with the "politically correct" semantics the Democrats try to use to appease their base.