White House Rushes To Do Damage Control After U.S. Defense Secretary Carter's Remarks On The Iraq Military And Its Will To Fight

Newsweek/Reuters: White House Does Damage Control After Defense Secretary Carter's Remarks on Iraq

Updated | WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Vice President Joe Biden reassured Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi of the U.S. commitment to help fight Islamic State militants in an effort at damage control on Monday after Defense Secretary Ash Carter questioned Iraqi troops' desire to fight.

Carter told CNN on Sunday that Iraqi forces showed no will to battle against Islamic State militants during the fall of Ramadi a week ago, and U.S. forces were trying to encourage them to engage more directly.

His remarks drew a rebuke from Abadi, with whom President Barack Obama has sought to build a positive relationship despite tension over the U.S. role in the country.

Update #1: Biden seeks to control fallout after Pentagon Iraq comments -- Deutsceh Welle
Update #2: Biden Calls Iraq PM To Reassure US Support -- Defense News/AFP

Previous Post: U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter: Iraqi Forces Lack Will To Fight

WNU Editor: The Iraq military did flee  .... and they did leave much of their equipment behind. You cannot spin that .... though it appears that the White House and the Iraqi government are trying their best to do just that.

Update: Are strained relations with Iraq hurting the fight against Islamic State? -- PBS Newshour