Obama calls U.S. troop boost in Iraq 'new phase,' discusses immigration, elections
- 10 years ago
President Barack Obama had a lot to say Sunday...but he started with his plan to send 1500 more troops to Iraq.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:
"What it signals is a new phase. First of all, let's be clear. ISIL is a threat not only to Iraq but also the region, and ultimately, over the long term, could be a threat to the United States. This is an extreme group of the sort we haven't seen before, but it also combines terrorist tactics with on the ground capabilities, in part because they incorporate a lot of Saddam Hussein's old military commanders. And this is a threat that we are committed not only to degrade, but ultimately destroy. It's going to take some time."
In an interview with CBS's Face the Nation he was clear about the role of the new troops
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:
"Our troops are not engaged in combat. Essentially what we're doing is we're taking four training centers with coalition membe
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:
"What it signals is a new phase. First of all, let's be clear. ISIL is a threat not only to Iraq but also the region, and ultimately, over the long term, could be a threat to the United States. This is an extreme group of the sort we haven't seen before, but it also combines terrorist tactics with on the ground capabilities, in part because they incorporate a lot of Saddam Hussein's old military commanders. And this is a threat that we are committed not only to degrade, but ultimately destroy. It's going to take some time."
In an interview with CBS's Face the Nation he was clear about the role of the new troops
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:
"Our troops are not engaged in combat. Essentially what we're doing is we're taking four training centers with coalition membe