The effort to train Iraqi forces against ISIS will fall short by 17,000 due to lack of recruits

Defense Secretary Ash Carter told the House Armed Services Committee today that the U.S. goal of training 24,000 Iraqi forces by fall would not be accomplished, chiefly due to lack of recruits. Only 7,000 Iraqis have been trained, in addition to 2,000 counterterrorism service personnel.

As the Islamic State has picked up steam and seized regions throughout Iraq, the U.S. has opted to train local Iraqi forces against ISIS, rather than send in American combat troops.

"We can drop 200,000 U.S. troops in the middle of this. It won't solve the problem," Rep. Adam Smith said at the hearing.

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“As I've told Iraqi leaders, while the United States is open to supporting Iraq more than we already are, we must see a greater commitment from all parts of the Iraqi government,” Carter said.