Obama's day: A speech on the Islamic State

President Obama spends Wednesday working on the final details of a prime time speech devoted to battling the rise of the jihadist Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

The speech is expected to focus on expanded military activity in Iraq and possibly Syria, increased help from other countries, and new efforts to train allied fighters in Iraq and Syria.

Obama is scheduled to speak at 9 p.m. ET.

The president, who has authorized a string of air strikes in Iraq, may discuss the potential of similar strikes down the line in Syria.

Obama has said he will not dispatch American combat troops to Iraq and Syria, and that the emphasis is on training local forces to carry the fight against insurgents. The president plans to stress the support of a newly formed government in Iraq.

The Islamic State, also known as ISIL and ISIS, has seized control of parts of Syria and Iraq, and U.S. officials say they may use a declared "caliphate" to launch attacks on the U.S. and allies.

The jihadist group has issued threats against the U.S., including videos that show the beheadings of two American journalists.

Obama's "comprehensive strategy" is designed "to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL, including U.S. military action and support for the forces combating ISIL on the ground -- both the opposition in Syria and a new, inclusive Iraqi government," the White House said in a statement.

The White House said Obama will "discuss how we are building a coalition of allies and partners in the region and in the broader international community to support our efforts, and will talk about how we work with the Congress as a partner in these efforts."

Obama met with congressional leaders Tuesday about his Islamic State strategy.

Afterward, the office of House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said he would back "certain options that have been proposed by the president, such as increasing the effectiveness of the Iraqi Security Forces and training and equipping the Syrian opposition."

Boehner also said "he would support the President if he chose to deploy the military to help train and play an advisory role for the Iraqi Security Forces and assist with lethal targeting of ISIL leadership," said a statement from his office.