Politics of war: Obama Administration seeks support on airstrikes

US President Barack Obama speaks at a press conference on the second day of the NATO 2014 Summit at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, South Wales, on September 5, 2014. The United States urged Western allies at a NATO summit Friday to unite in a coalition that could 'destroy' Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.

President Barack Obama is preparing to address the UN Security Council to get backing from more countries to help in the fight against the so-called Islamic State.

While the United States received support from a number of Arab nations to commit airstrikes against Islamist militants in Iraq and Syria, the White House was quick to point out it did not coordinate with the Syrian government.

Now, President Barack Obama is preparing to address the UN Security Council to get backing from more countries to help in the fight against the so-called Islamic State, which has taken control of major land in Iraq and Syria.

"They are trying at the White House to find a way to do whatever they're doing in conjunction with as many as partners as possible," says Edward-Isaac Dovere, senior White House reporter for Politico.