Richard Engel: 'Clever' to Launch Syria Airstrikes During U.N.

The United States and partner nations were "clever" to launch airstrikes in Syria against ISIS militants during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, NBC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel said on MSNBC's "The Rachel Maddow Show." The massive bombing campaign confirmed by the Pentagon late Monday "comes as all the world leaders" gather in the "world's media capital" for the assembly, where the U.S.-led fight against ISIS militants in Iraq and Syria is a centerpiece, Engel said.

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President Barack Obama — who nearly two weeks ago authorized a military campaign to degrade and destroy the brutal ISIS fighters — "can look strong in front of the U.N., with actions already underway" when he goes to New York on Tuesday, Engel said. Obama is expected to use his remarks at the UNGA to try to rally more nations behind his campaign to decisively take out ISIS.

IN-DEPTH

• U.S. Notified Assad Regime Before Launching Strikes
• ISIS Releases New Hostage Video as U.S. Strikes Begin
• U.S. Strikes Make Rebels 'Stronger' Against Assad

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— Daniel Arkin