This week it was Somalia, where President Donald Trump gave the U.S. military more authority to conduct offensive airstrikes on al-Qaida-linked militants. Key decisions on Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan are looming, from ending troop number limits to loosening rules that guide commanders in the field. Under the Obama administration, military leaders chafed about micromanagement that included commanders needing approval for routine tactical decisions about targets and personnel moves. But delegating more authority to the Pentagon — and combat decisions to lower level officers — carries its own military and political risks. But top military leaders say they need to be able to act quicker against U.S. enemies.

Source: ABC News April 01, 2017 14:03 UTC