commitment to not put troops on the ground there. he also is not ruling out air strikes against isis at this point. michelle kosinski is live at white house with much more on this side of the story. michelle? >> reporter: right, kate. the administration emphasizes this is not combat, but we are talking up to 300 special forces in iraq soon to advise and gather intelligence, a very measured step but a necessary one if the u.s. were to decide on something like air strikes. again, the president emphasizes this is all from the perspective of protecting america's national security interests. >> american forces will not be returning to combat in iraq, but we will help iraqis as they take the fight to terrorists who threaten the iraqi people. >> no boots on the ground, but boots on the ground. president obama and his national security team opt for a sort of middle ground in iraq. another step to gaining that sorely needed real intel around the clock on how best to counter