4:15 p.m. EST November 23, 2015 WASHINGTON — President Obama and his French counterpart, Francois Hollande, will meet Tuesday to discuss revamped efforts to defeat the Islamic State, although their plans probably won't include an injection of American ground troops.
Obama and aides have pledged an intensification of of their existing strategy, which stresses airstrikes and training local forces to carry the fight on the ground in Syria and Iraq.
"There is a comprehensive strategy that is being implemented by the United States and the 64 other members of our coalition," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.
Less than two weeks after the attacks in Paris triggered terrorism warnings across the globe, Hollande's White House visit is part of his effort to stitch together an international coalition to fight the insurgent group that claimed responsibility for that assault that claimed at least 130 lives.
Hollande has said his country is at war with the jihadists, who have established what that call a caliphate in large swaths of Syria and Iraq and encouraged attacks on "infidels" in other countries, including the United States.
Hollande met Monday with British Prime Minister David Cameron and will follow up his White House visit with meetings this week with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russia and President Vladimir Putin. He also plans to speak Sunday with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
The current U.S. strategy includes deployment of 50 special operations forces, as well as humanitarian assistance and diplomatic efforts aimed at a political settlement in Syria.
Vice President Biden met Monday with officials from 59 of the 65 nations that are a part of the anti-Islamic State coalition, Earnest said. The conversation "focused on how countries who are part of our coalition can ramp up their contributions to our efforts," he said.
In addition to expressions of "solidarity and support" for France, Earnest said Obama and Hollande will discuss ways in which their two countries can step up the fight against the Islamic State, which is also called ISIL or ISIS.
"We did see French military pilots carry out an additional round or two of airstrikes over Syria, and we certainly welcome that contribution," Earnest said. "I think there is plenty for the two leaders to talk about."
Obama and Hollande will be seeing each other again shortly after Tuesday's meeting. Early next week, Obama will travel to France for a meeting of global leaders on climate change.
Critics, including the Republican presidential candidates, have criticized Obama's Islamic State strategy as inadequate, and some have called for use of ground troops.
Obama defended his strategy throughout his recent trip to Asia, telling reporters on Sunday that it will lead to the destruction of the Islamic State.
"We're going to get it done, and we're going to pursue it with every aspect of American power and with all the coalition partners that we've assembled," Obama said. "It's going to get done."
