According to a recent CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, Americans say the President and Congress should make the issues of terrorism and Iraq their two highest priorities for 2006. More than half the Americans polled in mid-December placed these two issues in the “extremely important” category. The poll’s other six issues, in rank order, were healthcare costs, the economy, Social Security, gas and home heating prices, controlling illegal immigration, and immigration.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.

