Will outsourcing the war take down Islamic State? #tellusatoday

President Obama on Wednesday announced his plan for taking down the Islamic State. It includes, in part, sending more U.S. military personnel to train Iraqi forces.

We asked our Twitter followers what they wanted to hear from Obama, and what they thought of his plan. Twitter and Facebook comments edited for clarity and grammar:

The president's speech was empowering. His plan and mindset reinforce my support for him and our country.

—@hecta69

We have failed in Afghanistan, we have failed in Iraq, and I think we will also fail against the Islamic State.

—@23Rehana

We cannot guarantee the safety of journalists but can guarantee we will use all means necessary to destroy the Islamic State.

—@JeffPouland

From the president it's the same old thing: We will degrade and destroy the Islamic State, but we will not go it alone. We need international support and cooperation.

—@NikkiShively

President Obama, in reference to eliminating the Islamic State threat, should tell the world that we will do whatever it takes.

—@BobbyVillela

We should stay out of the Middle East. It is a cesspool.

—@trident90

Obama needs to explain what his plan is for removing Syria's Bashar Assad and transitioning to a new government.

—@NewsOfMideast

For more of the conversation, follow @USATOpinion and #tellusatoday on Twitter.

I just love the way we as a nation gloss over the trillions that we've already spent to build an Iraqi military to handle this sort of threat. The failure was so smooth and complete.

—David Patterson

The outsourcing of war might make sense on paper or in a speech, but it's frankly insane. Do we really think we can get other people who are thousands of miles from our borders to do what we want after we hand them weapons, money and "expertise"? I have serious reservations about our commander in chief's grip on reality.

—Jim Mather

The president's plan is an excellent one. Unlike a month or two ago, the American public now favors military action, Nouri al-Maliki is out and the Europeans and Arabs are joining the coalition. ISIL is a barbaric force and must be dealt with severely, as we will be doing.

—Doug Larson

After a long delay, a monstrous bloodbath by Syria's Bashar Assad, the Islamic State terrorizing large swaths of people in Syria and Iraq, and the beheading of two Americans, Obama finally woke up. He has again repeated that combat troops on the ground will not be involved. Obama should give concrete proposals that include American troops hunting for and wiping out these terrorists. Only a ground operation will destroy them.

—Abraham Yeshuratnam

Letter edited for clarity and grammar:

With the massive news coverage of the Islamic State, I have seen only one vague reference as to how it is funded. These troops are well equipped and it must be costing millions to arm and feed them. If we are to put people in harm's way again, the public needs to understand where that money is coming from. Do we know the answer, or is a potential problem with oil supplies keeping a lid on it? Follow the money in order to understand the situation.

Jack Coon; Ellisville, Mo.