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.
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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
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