By, Brandon Peddle
In lieu of the Paris attacks on Friday, President Barack Obama addressed the attacks as well as the threats of ISIL and the Syrian refugee crisis during the G20 summit in Turkey.
"The terrible events in Paris were obviously a terrible and sickening setback, even as we grieve with our French friends, we can't lose sight that there has been progress being made," the President said in remarks on Monday.
With the world's attention brought to the Paris attacks, it has also brought the concern of national security and increased scrutiny of refugees as it has been reported that some of the attackers posed as a group of refugees entering France.
President Obama has faced criticism saying that he needs to change his strategy and increase military presence in Syria. He reaffirmed the notion that he will not escalate the military force, but will intensify his already concerted efforts in the region, saying "We have the right strategy, and we're going to see it through."
The attacks have made governors of several states in the US increasingly hesitant to accept refugees, despite President Obama saying he will not cease accepting refugees. Now, 27 of 50 states, including Alabama, Michigan, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi and Massachusetts, have all said they will suspend receiving refugees.
Former Florida Governor and Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush said on "CBS This Morning" on Monday that an important need should be placed on Christians in Syria, to which the President responded, "That's not American, it's not who we are...we don't have religious tests to our compassion."
Obama went on to say, "We do not close our hearts to these victims of such violence, and somehow start equating the issue of refugees to the issue of terrorism."
The second Democratic debate, which took place only 24 hours after the Paris Attacks on Friday, also included a discussion on national security, as well as the strategy in engaging ISIL. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders said that the United States cannot be the leader in the fight against ISIL, "Muslim countries are going to have to lead the effort, and they are not doing it now."
Former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley mentioned that we cannot think in traditional terms of warfare, "This is not the conflict where we send in the 3rd division of the Marines...it does not serve our purposes as well as Special Ops, better intelligence and being more proactive."
Meanwhile, former Secretary of State and Democratic front runner Hilary Clinton broke ranks and said that ISIL must be "defeated, not contained." She went on to say that we also have other challenges besides ISIL, including China and Russia, "We have to look at the full range, and then come to a smart decision on how to stream-line and focus our defense."
For more visit GVH Live