VOA慢速英语2014 情报局称伊斯兰国组织兵力之多超乎想像

 

CIA: Islamic State Group Has More Fighters than Thought 情报局称伊斯兰国组织兵力之多超乎想像

From VOA Learning English, this is In The News. 

The United States says the Islamic State militant¹ group has at least two times as many fighters as an earlier estimate. The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency says the group now has between 20,000 and 31,500 fighters in Iraq and Syria. The old estimate was 10,000. A CIA official reported this week that the new number is based on more people joining the militants² since June. He noted³ the success of militant forces in battle and their declaration of an Islamic state.

The new intelligence estimate came a day after President Barack Obama announced his plan for defeating the group. Mr. Obama said he is expanding the U.S operations against the militants to include air strikes in Syria. He said his administration will build an international coalition⁴ to defeat Islamic State forces. He also said that no U.S. troops will return to battle in Iraq.

The president made the announcement Wednesday night in a speech to the American people. Some observers say his plan represents the beginning of a long campaign involving U.S. forces. Mr. Obama recently came under criticism for saying he did not have a strategy for the militants.

For weeks, the U.S. aircraft have been attacking Iraqi territory controlled by Islamic State forces, also known as ISIL. President Obama announced on Wednesday that the air strikes will be expanded to militant positions in Syria.

“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. This is a core principle of my presidency⁵. If you threaten America, you will find no safe haven⁶.” 

The president did not say when the air strikes will end. Some U.S. officials say they could last for years.

Mr. Obama also announced plans to send 475 armed forces members to Iraq. They will join the more than 1,000 already serving as advisors⁷ in the country.

The president said the U.S. aim is to break down and later destroy the militant group. Islamic State fighters recently executed two American journalists. Americans have been shocked by images of the killings⁸.

Opinion surveys this week showed a majority of Americans support action against the militants. After the speech, the two main parties expressed support for military strikes against Islamic State forces. Mitch McConnell is the top Republican in the U.S. Senate.

“I’m glad the president has brought a new focus to the effort against ISIL. He needs to take this responsibility head-on. This congress, the next congress, and the next administration have serious work ahead as we consider this multi-year commitment and what it will take to defeat ISIL.” 

Yet Republicans and Democrats⁹ disagree about what will be required to defeat the militants. House Speaker John Boehner says air strikes involving U.S. fighter aircraft will not be enough.

“An F-16 is not a strategy, and air strikes alone will not accomplish what we are trying to accomplish. And the president’s made clear he doesn’t want U.S. boots on the ground. Well, somebody’s boots have to be on the ground.”

Senator Barbara Boxer¹⁰ of California belongs to the Democratic Party. She supports Mr. Obama’s call for an international coalition to defeat the Islamic State.

“Beware of the people here who were the cheerleaders of the Iraq War, who want to get this president to now say is gonna put combat boots on the ground. That is the wrong recipe. We learned it -- 4,000 dead Americans.”

President Obama is seeking congressional approval to train and supply Syrian opposition¹¹ fighters. He wants them to battle Islamic State forces operating in Syria. That training would take place in Saudi Arabia, which U.S. officials say has promised to assist the efforts.

1 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

2 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

3 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

4 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

5 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

6 haven   

n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所

参考例句：

• It's a real haven at the end of a busy working day.忙碌了一整天后，这真是一个安乐窝。
• The school library is a little haven of peace and quiet.学校的图书馆是一个和平且安静的小避风港。

7 advisors   

n.顾问，劝告者( advisor的名词复数 )；（指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授

参考例句：

• The governors felt that they were being strung along by their advisors. 地方长官感到他们一直在受顾问们的愚弄。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• We will consult together with advisors about her education. 我们将一起和专家商议她的教育事宜。 来自互联网

8 killings   

谋杀( killing的名词复数 )； 突然发大财，暴发

参考例句：

• His statement was seen as an allusion to the recent drug-related killings. 他的声明被视为暗指最近与毒品有关的多起凶杀案。
• The government issued a statement condemning the killings. 政府发表声明谴责这些凶杀事件。

9 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 boxer   

n.制箱者，拳击手

参考例句：

• The boxer gave his opponent a punch on the nose.这个拳击手朝他对手的鼻子上猛击一拳。
• He moved lightly on his toes like a boxer.他像拳击手一样踮着脚轻盈移动。

11 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。