How The Decision To Launch Air Strikes Against Islamic State Forces In Iraq Was Made

President Barack Obama meets with the National Security Council in the Situation Room of the White House in Washington, in this handout photograph taken and released on August 7, 2014. Credit: REUTERS/Pete Souza/White House/Handout

Obama Iraq Decision Followed Limo Ride Talk With General -- Bloomberg

President Barack Obama’s decision to approve airstrikes and humanitarian air drops in Iraq began to come together at nightfall on Aug. 6, between the end of the African leaders’ summit he’d hosted and a dinner with his wife and some friends.

During a five-minute limo ride back to the White House from the State Department with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Martin Dempsey, Obama’s fears were confirmed. The offensive by militants with the Islamic State group had reached a critical point, according to an administration official who asked for anonymity to outline the private discussions.

That chat turned into an hour-long meeting in the Oval Office with Dempsey and Obama’s chief of staff and top national security advisers that night.

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WNU Editor: The New York Times has more details on these discussions .... as well as revealing the White House's fear of another "Bengahzi" occurring .... Fear of ‘Another Benghazi’ Drove White House to Airstrikes in Iraq (New York Times).