WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says America doesn’t have to be perpetually at war, but it must take on the surging Islamic State group.

Samantha Power says the U.S. needs the support of other nations as it advances “a campaign to degrade and destroy” the terrorist network.

Appearing Thursday on NBC’s “Today” show, she calls Islamic State a “monstrous group.”

Power says the Obama administration is heartened by pledges of cooperation in this effort, but says a much greater commitment is needed. She says nations must not only defeat terrorists when encountering them head-on, but also needs to keep people from becoming recruited and choke off funding sources.

Power says the horrors presented by the Islamic State militants should unite other countries, particularly in the Mideast and Europe.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.