(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:

"Our objective is clear: we will degrade, and ultimately destroy, ISIL through a comprehensive and sustained counter-terrorism strategy."

This, after Islamic State militants beheaded two American journalists, sending a grave message to the United States to stop air strikes in Iraq.

But President Barack Obama said he will not waver under threats:

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:

"First, we will conduct a systematic campaign of airstrikes against these terrorists. Working with the Iraqi government, we will expand our efforts beyond protecting our own people and humanitarian missions, so that we're hitting ISIL targets as Iraqi forces go on offense. Moreover, I have made it clear that we will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are. That means I will not hesitate to take action against ISIL in Syria, as well as Iraq."

The President told Americans