Retired Marine Corps Gen. John Allen will spearhead the United States' effort at destroying the Islamic State (ISIS).
Allen retired from military service in 2013 as a four-star general, but has been working as an adviser in the Obama administration ever since — particularly for Secretary of State John Kerry.
Allen has been helping with the Middle East peace process in recent months as battles between Israel and Hamas threaten to further destabilize the region.
The Associated Press reports that Allen will work to implement President Barack Obama's plan to defeat ISIS. Allen, who has led international forces in the past during his time in the Middle East, will coordinate the nearly 40-nation coalition that wants to rid the world of the terror group.
Allen told
Defense One in June that the United States "must strike [ISIS] with a hard blow."
Following the beheading of American journalist James Foley last month, Allen wrote an op-ed for Defense One and reiterated his opinion that immediate action needed to be taken.
Vote Now: Should Obama Order Strikes on ISIS in Syria? Vote Here
"IS must be destroyed and we must move quickly to pressure its entire 'nervous system,' break it up, and destroy its pieces"
Allen wrote.
Obama told the nation Wednesday night the United States will expand airstrikes on ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria.
The Washington Post reported that Obama has authorized the military to target individual ISIS leaders as well.
Allen has served as deputy commander of the U.S. Central Command and the commander of all U.S. forces in Afghanistan. He also led the International Security Assistance Force, which helped to train Afghan soldiers, from 2011 until his retirement.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Related Stories: