Securing America: Al-Qaeda In Iraq

(AP Photo)

Fierce clashes are being reported between Iraqi Special Forces and al-Qaeda-linked militants who have taken control of parts of Fallujah and Ramadi. It’s the worst violence since U.S. troops left Iraq. Now, members of Congress are calling on President Obama to make a move.

FOX News Chief Intelligence Correspondent Catherine Herridge has more, as part of our ongoing series on national security:

Securing America.

A new analysis from the West Point Counterterrorism Center describes how the group’s dramatic expansion into Syria under the banner of al-Qaeda in Iraq and the Levant has “offered a tremendous platform to recruit, train and fundraise in ways that position the group to both stoke and exploit sectarian tensions in Iraq.” Pressed on the chaos, the State Department defended its strategy:

Psaki: “To argue that we are not actively engaged in diplomatic efforts around the world, is completely inaccurate.”

Thursday, the Speaker of the House called out the President for failing to reach a status of forces agreement with the Iraqi government and as Commander In Chief, handing off the work to others:

Boehner: “The Administration has chosen to spend much of its time and energy trying to explain why having terrorists holding key terrain in the Middle East is not the President’s problem.

The U.N. Security Council condemned the violence in Iraq.

In Washington, Catherine Herridge, FOX News Radio.