Jun 17 Carter: Iraqi training goal to fall short by 17,000 recruits By Deb Riechmann, Associated Press WASHINGTON — The effort to train Iraqi forces to fight Islamic State militants has been slowed by a lack of recruits and the U.S. will not meet its goal to train 24,000 by this fall, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said… Continue reading
Jun 16 Ret. Gen. Allen: Population in liberated Syrian town still needs protecting By Larisa Epatko The fight against Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq will be a tough slog, but forces have made some progress, including cutting off a key supply route to the militants’ self-proclaimed capital Raqqa in Syria, said retired Gen. George… Continue reading
Jun 16 Is U.S. losing to Islamic State group's social media appeal? General says no By Larisa Epatko Despite reports saying the United States has an uphill climb in countering the Islamic State group’s propaganda on social media, retired Marine Corps Gen. John Allen said Tuesday, “I don’t agree with the broad characterization that we’re losing” the war… Continue reading
Jun 10 Will more U.S. military might in Iraq keep forces from 'taking a licking'? By Larisa Epatko President Barack Obama’s plan to bulk up the U.S. military presence in Iraq by adding up to 450 more advisers and trainers has come under scrutiny, including from retired U.S. Army Col. Andrew Bacevich, who said he was skeptical it… Continue reading
Jun 10 Watch 17:25 Can Obama's plan 'defeat and destroy' the Islamic State? By PBS News Hour The White House has announced it will send more troops to fight the Islamic State group in Iraq. To discuss the multi-front war with the militants, Judy Woodruff talks to Michèle Flournoy of the Center for a New American Security,… Continue watching
Jun 10 Watch 4:57 One year since Mosul's capture, White House rolls out plan to send more military trainers By PBS News Hour One year ago, the Islamic State group shocked the world as it captured Iraq's second largest city. Today, the White House laid out plans to send up to 450 more military trainers to that country and to establish a fifth… Continue watching
Jun 10 Talking about my family's experience fighting the Islamic State has helped my students By Rusul Alrubail When students see that a teacher is not afraid to discuss what is happening around the world, especially related to her home country, they in turn feel comfortable to share their thoughts and feelings on similar issues. Continue reading
Jun 10 Year after Mosul capture, millions of Iraqis still need basic food and shelter By Larisa Epatko A year after Islamic State militants took control of Mosul, the number of Iraqis who have fled the besieged northern city has ballooned to more than a million people in need of basic food, water and shelter, Mercy Corps’ Iraq… Continue reading
Jun 10 U.S. to send more troops to Iraq for expanded training mission By Nedra Pickler and Robert Burns, Associated Press WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama ordered the deployment of up to 450 more U.S. troops to Iraq on Wednesday to advise and assist local forces in an effort to reverse the recent gains of the Islamic State. Continue reading
Jun 09 Watch 7:01 Iraq can't wait years to defeat Islamic State, says ambassador By PBS News Hour How does Baghdad see the ongoing battle against the Islamic State? Judy Woodruff interviews Iraqi Ambassador Lukman Faily about his nation’s urgent, “existential” fight against the militant group and the role and responsibility of the United States. Continue watching