Top U.S. Military Leaders Testify On The Crisis In Iraq

VOA: US Military Leaders: Stronger Iraq Critical to IS Fight

U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter told a House panel Wednesday that the most critical line of defense against Islamic State militants is in building a stronger, more inclusive Iraqi government.

Carter said the U.S. is seeking a “greater commitment” from Iraq, especially in recruiting enough soldiers for training to assist in the fight against the Islamic State group.

He told the House Armed Services Committee the U.S.-led air campaign against Islamic State positions in Iraq requires "capable, motivated, legitimate local ground troops to seize, clear and hold" land.

WNU Editor: Iraq is completely imploding, but they could only get 7,000 recruits!?!?!?! If this is not proof that the U.S. effort is Iraq is a failure .... I do not know what is. Bottom line .... the Iraqis are not interested in aligning themselves with the U.S. to combat the Islamic State .... as far as they are concerned (and they are giving that impression very clearly) .... the U.S. no longer has any credibility.

More News On Yesterday's Testimony From US Leaders Testify On The Crisis In Iraq

Carter, Dempsey paint bleak picture of Iraq situation -- CNN
Pentagon chief says Iraqi forces training goal will not be met due to lack of recruits -- AP
Carter: Not enough good Iraqi recruits to train against Islamic State -- USA Today
Carter: Iraqi troops were not equipped on time to fight IS -- UPI
Ashton Carter: Training of Iraqis slow, but new U.S. troops making progress -- Washington Times
Carter: Iraqi training goal to fall short by 17,000 recruits -- PBS/AP
U.S. Effort to Train Iraqi Forces Short of Recruits, Carter Says -- Bloomberg
Ashton Carter: We Equipped Iraqi Security Forces Too Slowly -- Washington Free Beacon
Carter: Not enough Iraqi or Syrian recruits to train for ISIL fight -- Politico
US Defense chief Carter : ‘The Kurds do really fight’ -- Rudaw
U.S. urges 'greater commitment' to war effort from Baghda -- Reuters
Carter Vows Lasting Defeat of ISIL Forces -- US Dept. of Defense
Carter Insists There Really is a Strategy for Iraq and Syria -- Military.com