U.S. Frustrated That The Anti-ISIS Coalition Is Not Doing Enough In The Fight Against The Islamic State

L.A. Times: U.S. to urge partners to do more to fight Islamic State amid complaints from Pentagon

President Obama has repeatedly touted the U.S.-led coalition assembled to battle Islamic State militants, but Pentagon officials are expressing growing frustration that some of the 64 partner nations and regional groups are backing the effort in name only.

Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter has been the most vocal, complaining last month that some allies are "not doing enough or doing nothing at all."

The grumbling comes as the White House considers stepping up the war effort by sending several hundred more U.S. and allied trainers, advisors and special operations teams to assist Iraqi, Kurdish and Syrian opposition fighters arrayed against the militants in Iraq and Syria.

Pentagon planners argue that more coalition troops and other help are needed before Iraqi security forces can recapture Mosul, the militants' self-declared capital in Iraq. Last year's battle to retake Ramadi, a much smaller city west of Baghdad, took months longer than U.S. officials had expected.

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Update: US Commander: More US, Coalition Forces Likely to Fight IS (AP).

WNU Editor: Many government now see the wars that are engulfing the Middle East as a quagmire in the making. In such an environment .... who wants to be stuck in such a fight.