◼ Barack Obama left for a three-day European swing Tuesday afternoon without saying a single word in response to a terrorist video showing the beheading of Steven Sotloff, the second American journalist to die that way on camera. - DAVID MARTOSKO, US POLITICAL EDITOR FOR MAILONLINE
The president's departure came amid equally deafening swirls of helicopter rotors and tough questions about whether and when the U.S. will strike back in a meaningful and public way against ISIS, the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham.
News of Sotloff's execution broke online at 1:05 p.m., shortly after White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest began his daily briefing with reporters; he said four minutes later that he hadn't heard the news.
Just two weeks ago, the president was widely criticized for being pictured fist-bumping on the golf course minutes after solemnly addressing the nation about an ISIS video showing photojournalist James Foley's death....
Presdident walks to Marine One past journalists while ignoring their shouted questions
State Department's chief Iraq-Iran deputy said 'stay tuned' for a strategy: 'we are building now a broader campaign plan'
CNN anchor pounces: 'You say "stay tuned," but in the meantime ISIS is busy beheading our colleagues'
Georgia Republican senator tweets 'There's only one way you deal with ISIS: You kill them'
California Democratic senator warned Sunday that Obama is 'very cautious. Maybe in this instance too cautious'
The president will be in Europe for three days, attending international meetings in Estonia and then a NATO summit in Wales
