Pentagon: Iraq Has Been Defeated By The Islamic Militants. Will Need Outside Help

U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey (right) speaks next to U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel during a media briefing at the Pentagon in Washington on July 3.

U.S. Military Sees Iraq Incapable of Uprooting Islamic Militants -- Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON—Iraq's military is incapable of mounting an offensive against Sunni militants who have seized large sections of the country, the top U.S. general said Thursday, suggesting the U.S. might have to play a larger role in helping Iraqis defeat the regional threat.

Initial assessments from U.S. military teams in Iraq have found that the country's military can defend Baghdad, but wouldn't be able to uproot the extremist group known as Islamic State, which is consolidating control across the Middle East nation, said Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"Will the Iraqis, at some point, be able to go back on the offensive?" Gen. Dempsey said. "Probably not by themselves."

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More News On The Pentagon Admitting That Iraq Will Need Outside Help To Defeat The Islamic Militants That Have Taken Over The Northern Part Of Iraq

Can Iraqi forces recapture lost ground alone? U.S. says 'probably not' -- Reuters
Pentagon leaders: Iraq probably needs outside help to retake seized territory -- Washington Post
Dempsey: Iraqi military can't regain lost territory on its own -- Defense News
Iraq forces likely need help to regain territory: US -- AFP
Iraq's Probably Going to Need Help Taking Back Its Country -- National Journal
Washington: Baghdad cannot regain lost territory without help -- Al Bawaba News
Iraqi forces likely will need help to regain territory: U.S. -- Al Arabiya

My Comment: This is the closest that the Pentagon will admit that the Iraqi army has been defeated by the Islamic insurgents. But there is at least one bright note .... Top U.S. Military Officer Says Iraqi Forces Can Defend Baghdad -- Radio Free Europe