RT America -- October 17, 2014

Mixed messages out of Washington are leaving many wondering who is in control of the US-led war against the Islamic State group. While President Barack Obama reassures the public no American soldiers will be fighting on the ground, repeated comments by top military leaders seemingly contradict, or at least muddy, the commander in chief’s message. RT’s Ben Swann speaks with former high-ranking CIA officer Ray McGovern to get his take.

Responding to allegations by it members of censorship by administration officials, the White House Correspondents Association is testing a system that circumvents the president’s office and releases information directly to news organizations. If implemented, the press pool will have more freedom to add nuance and details the administration potentially doesn’t want distributed to over 8,000 reporters and other journalists throughout the world. RT’s Manila Chan has more.