Obama Authorizes Up To 1,500 More Military Personnel To Deploy To Iraq -- Wall Street Journal

President Asks Congress for $5.6 Billion to Fight Islamic State Militants

President Barack Obama authorized the deployment of up to 1,500 additional troops to Iraq and is asking Congress for $5.6 billion, as the U.S. looks to ramp up the fight against Islamic State militants.

The military personnel will serve “in a noncombat role to train, advise and assist Iraqi security forces, including Kurdish forces,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.

They will be authorized to operate at facilities located outside Baghdad and Erbil. “U.S. troops will not be in combat, but they will be better positioned to support Iraqi security forces as they take the fight to” Islamic State, Mr. Earnest said.

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MIDDLE EAST

Obama authorizes 1,500 more troops for Iraq . Obama approves sending 1,500 more troops to Iraq. Obama authorizes 1,500 additional U.S. troops for deployment to Iraq .

No U.S.-Iran military coordination against Islamic State: Rice.

Al-Qaida group seizes villages from Syrian rebels .

Peshmergas blunt, don't break, Islamic State siege of Syria's Kobani .

Islamic State shuts down schools in eastern Syria .

Iraq's top cleric says graft in army helped Islamic State .

Yemen announces new government .

U.N. nuclear agency makes no progress in Iran probe . Iran failing to answer nuclear questions, says IAEA.

Iran-P5+1 full-fledged talks to be held in Oman November 11 — source .

Fatah holds Hamas responsible for Gaza bomb attacks .

Israel tightens security in East Jerusalem . Palestinians clash with Israeli troops again over holy site .

ASIA

Philippines still scarred by typhoon Haiyan .

NATO leader in Afghanistan vows continued support .

China and Japan smooth over East China Sea island row .

NATO chief hails ‘new chapter’ in Afghanistan .

Report accuses Myanmar commanders of war crimes .

U.N.'s Zeid accuses Sri Lanka of trying to sabotage war crimes probe .

White House blasts China on human rights .

South Korea votes to disband coast guard in wake of ferry disaster .

AFRICA

Burkina Faso leader rejects AU demand on relinquishing power .

Libyan rebels threaten to declare independence over rival parliament .

United Nations says South Sudan impounds peacekeeping cargo .

Three killed in clashes, attacks across Egypt: sources . Anti-government protesters killed in Egypt.

Nigerians flee as Islamic extremists dig in .

Summary execution, beheading, amputation claims in Boko Haram fight .

Bomb hits bank in northeast Nigeria, at least nine dead: source .

EU extends military operation in Central African Republic until 2015 .

Somali lawmakers try to force out PM with no-confidence vote .

Libya's downward spiral continues .

South Africa suffers another credit rating downgrade .

EUROPE

Putin and Obama may hold informal talk next week .

Ukraine cease-fire evaporates as government says 200 rebels dead.

Ukraine accuses Russia of sending dozens of tanks into its territory . Ukraine accuses Russia of sending dozens of tanks .

Moscow to Kiev: Stick to Minsk ceasefire, stop making false ‘invasion’ claims .

Ukraine's Poroshenko says warns Merkel of escalating eastern conflict .

Ukraine's currency reserves plummet 23 percent to nine-year low .

No reason to believe Russia-US relations may improve after US Congress elections: Moscow .

NATO General says alliance planning large-scale maneuvers near Russian border .

Britain finds deal with EU over controversial bill .

Scottish nationalists storm back after referendum defeat .

German parliament kicks off weekend of Berlin Wall commemorations .

AMERICAS

Obama, Republicans seek common ground.

U.S. military names 5 US bases for Ebola mission troops .

U.S. CDC boosts national stockpile of Ebola protective gear .

U.S. economy adds 214K jobs, unemployment rate falls .

Mexico to try 7 soldiers in slaying of suspects .

Colombia’s peace talks spark fears of possible FARC amnesty .

Venezuela to maintain oil production at 3 million bpd in 2015 .

London court seeks Argentina creditors' say on debt interest payments .

Mexico revokes multibillion-dollar rail contract with China .

Biggest Brazil metro area desperate for water .

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Damages sought against Arab Bank in US terror case .

Senior al Qaeda leader killed in south Yemen: officials .

USS Cole bombing suspect’s lawyers want tests to see if CIA gave him PTSD .

Camp Bucca: The US prison that became the birthplace of ISIS .

German intelligence says Islamic State’s oil power overestimated: Reports .

Jihadists take holiday cruises to warzones following intl. screening step-up .

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

85 richest now have as much money as poorest 3.5B .

Facebook to add ‘donate button’ to fund Ebola charities in West Africa .

Amazon debuts Siri-style virtual assistant in speaker .

Home Depot: 53M email addresses stolen in breach .