Obama's speech on Islamic State militants

Islamic State militants have wreaked havoc in Iraq and Syria and threatened action against the United States. President Obama plans to address the nation tonight to talk about his plans to take down the extremist group.

Join David Lauter, Washington bureau chief; David S. Cloud, who covers the Pentagon; Paul Richter, who covers foreign policy; Alexandra Zavis, foreign affairs writer and former Baghdad correspondent; and Cathleen Decker, national politics editor, for live analysis of Obama’s remarks.

The story so far: Who is Islamic State and what lies ahead?

Here's what you need to know to get caught up on the conflict with Islamic State in the Middle East.

Full coverage: U.S. response to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria

With a wary American public, a skeptical Congress and the lack of an imminent threat to the United States, President Obama must weigh his actions against the Islamic State carefully.

Transcript: Obama's strategy against Islamic State

Read the president's remarks as well as a "fact sheet" on the strategy released by the White House.

Obama calls for broader military campaign against Islamic State

President Obama outlined a "steady, relentless" strategy Wednesday to combat Islamic State fighters "wherever they exist," signaling he will target the militant group in Iraq and neighboring Syria where the fighters have captured large swaths of territory.

Full coverage:

The story so far: Who is Islamic State and what lies ahead?

Here's what you need to know to get caught up on the conflict with Islamic State in the Middle East.

Full coverage: U.S. response to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria

With a wary American public, a skeptical Congress and the lack of an imminent threat to the United States, President Obama must weigh his actions against the Islamic State carefully.

5 things to look for in Obama's speech on Islamic State militants

Here are five things to watch for as Obama speaks before television cameras in the ceremonial foyer of the White House. First, does Obama's strategy make sense?

Obama to lay out case for taking on Islamic State militants in speech

Nearly six years after he was elected on the promise to end American wars, Obama is expected to embark on a military campaign unlike any he has considered during his tenure.