The Pentagon's push for a beefed-up US role in the war against the Islamic State (IS) landed with a thud on Capitol Hill on Oct. 27.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter told lawmakers on the Senate Armed Services Committee that military officials are considering a strategy of "3 Rs" focusing on Raqqa, Ramadi and raids in their bid to put the Islamist group on the back foot. Carter said the strategy includes a stepped-up bombing campaign as well as more special forces missions that will put US troops in harm's way.