On December 6, President Obama addressed the nation on his plans to keep America a safe place and fight ISIL.

“I have no greater responsibility than the safety of the American people,” Obama said during his speech. He later stated his number one priority is to keep the country safe and fight terrorism worldwide and in our country.

Obama began his speech by calling San Bernardino a terrorist act designed to kill innocent people. He explained that in the past couple of years, terrorism has evolved and changed as terrorists have turned to executing mass shootings. The threat of terrorism is real, Obama said, and America will draw on every aspect of power to destroy these groups like ISIL.

The first step of Obama’s plan to destroy terrorism will be to hunt down terrorists in any country necessary. The second step is to continue providing training and equipment to forces in Iraq and Syria. Special Operations Forces will be deployed in those countries to accelerate the process.

The third step is to work with our allies in the Middle East; America will be working with Turkey to seal the border with Syria. America is similarly cooperating with Muslim-majority countries and Muslim communities at home to counter the vicious association between Muslims and ISIL.

The fourth step is to resolve the Syrian war and gain a better relationship with Russia to work together and fight ISIL. The strategy must be examined constantly, and steps must be added to ensure the job gets done.

The fight against ISIL cannot be fought solely overseas. America must take steps at home. Congress should ensure that no one on the No Fly List has access to guns or is able to buy powerful weapons. Travelers to the U.S. without a visa should be screened more strongly to investigate if they have entered any war zones. Congress should also be put to a vote on whether the U.S. should exercise military force against ISIL.

If these actions are taken, America will be closer to ending the fight against terrorism. There are also actions, however, Obama believes we should not take under any circumstances – for example, entering a long and costly ground war with Syria or Iraq.

“We cannot turn against one another by letting this fight be defined as a war between America and Islam,” Obama stressed. It is important not to associate Muslim people with ISIL. Everyone is made equal and discrimination should not be tolerated, and together, Obama says, ISIL can be defeated.

Obama spoke with confidence on the war against ISIL and is enforcing stricter tactics than ever before. Due to the shootings in Paris and past attacks, something must take place to end these acts of terrorism. America must stand united with its allies and not discriminate against any of its people to remain a strong force and destroy ISIL.