State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said shortly after the purported killing of American journalist Steven Sotloff that the U.S. government was not going to “put new labels” on America’s response to the Islamic State group — also known as ISIL — by calling it war.
When asked by Fox News reporter James Rosen if there was “any doubt” on the part of the White House that the U.S. was at war with the Sunni terrorist group, Ms. Psaki was careful with her response.
“I’m not going to, again, put new labels on it,” she said. “I think it’s clear that we are concerned about the threat of ISIL to Western interests, to interests in the region. That’s why the secretary, the president, [Defense] Secretary Hagel are all going to be working every contact they have to continue to build a coalition to address this threat.”
The White House said Tuesday that video of Mr. Sotloff’s killing was not yet authenticated. On Aug. 19 American photojournalist James Foley was killed by the Islamic State group.
Tuesday’s video, titled “A Second Message to America,” included a message by a man who claims to be Mr. Foley’s killer.
“I am back, Obama. I am back because of your arrogant foreign policy toward the Islamic State,” he said. “Our knife will continue to strike the neck of your people.”
SEE ALSO: Saudi king: Islamic State will reach ‘Europe in a month and America in another month’
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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