English subtitles for clip: File:President Obama Speaks on the Situation in Iraq.webm
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1 00:00:00,367 --> 00:00:03,100 The President: Good afternoon, everybody. 2 00:00:03,100 --> 00:00:05,633 I just met with my national security team to discuss 3 00:00:05,633 --> 00:00:07,433 the situation in Iraq. 4 00:00:07,433 --> 00:00:11,800 We've been meeting regularly to review the situation since ISIL, 5 00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:15,433 a terrorist organization that operates in Iraq and Syria, 6 00:00:15,433 --> 00:00:17,834 made advances inside of Iraq. 7 00:00:17,834 --> 00:00:23,333 As I said last week, ISIL poses a threat to the Iraqi people, 8 00:00:23,333 --> 00:00:26,299 to the region, and to U.S. interests. 9 00:00:26,300 --> 00:00:28,600 So today I wanted to provide you an update on how we're 10 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:31,133 responding to the situation. 11 00:00:31,133 --> 00:00:34,066 First, we are working to secure our embassy and personnel 12 00:00:34,066 --> 00:00:36,133 operating inside of Iraq. 13 00:00:36,133 --> 00:00:39,173 As President, I have no greater priority than the safety 14 00:00:39,220 --> 00:00:41,433 of our men and women serving overseas. 15 00:00:41,433 --> 00:00:43,900 So I've taken some steps to relocate some 16 00:00:43,900 --> 00:00:47,300 of our embassy personnel, and we've sent reinforcements 17 00:00:47,300 --> 00:00:50,233 to better secure our facilities. 18 00:00:50,233 --> 00:00:53,193 Second, at my direction, we have significantly increased 19 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:56,860 our intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets 20 00:00:56,867 --> 00:00:59,400 so that we've got a better picture of what's taking 21 00:00:59,400 --> 00:01:01,533 place inside of Iraq. 22 00:01:01,533 --> 00:01:04,132 And this will give us a greater understanding of what ISIL 23 00:01:04,132 --> 00:01:07,333 is doing, where it's located, and how we might support 24 00:01:07,333 --> 00:01:10,633 efforts to counter this threat. 25 00:01:10,633 --> 00:01:14,232 Third, the United States will continue to increase our support 26 00:01:14,233 --> 00:01:16,533 to Iraqi security forces. 27 00:01:16,533 --> 00:01:19,934 We're prepared to create joint operation centers in Baghdad 28 00:01:19,934 --> 00:01:23,600 and northern Iraq to share intelligence and coordinate 29 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:27,699 planning to confront the terrorist threat of ISIL. 30 00:01:27,700 --> 00:01:29,734 Through our new Counterterrorism Partnership Fund, 31 00:01:29,734 --> 00:01:31,454 we're prepared to work with Congress 32 00:01:31,460 --> 00:01:33,860 to provide additional equipment. 33 00:01:33,867 --> 00:01:36,800 We have had advisors in Iraq through our embassy, 34 00:01:36,800 --> 00:01:39,500 and we're prepared to send a small number of additional 35 00:01:39,500 --> 00:01:43,233 American military advisors -- up to 300 -- to assess 36 00:01:43,233 --> 00:01:46,700 how we can best train, advise, and support 37 00:01:46,700 --> 00:01:49,967 Iraqi security forces going forward. 38 00:01:49,967 --> 00:01:54,266 American forces will not be returning to combat in Iraq, 39 00:01:54,266 --> 00:01:57,734 but we will help Iraqis as they take the fight to terrorists 40 00:01:57,734 --> 00:01:59,767 who threaten the Iraqi people, the region, 41 00:01:59,767 --> 00:02:03,467 and American interests as well. 42 00:02:03,467 --> 00:02:07,367 Fourth, in recent days, we've positioned additional 43 00:02:07,367 --> 00:02:10,333 U.S. military assets in the region. 44 00:02:10,333 --> 00:02:12,900 Because of our increased intelligence resources, 45 00:02:12,900 --> 00:02:15,200 we're developing more information about potential 46 00:02:15,200 --> 00:02:18,066 targets associated with ISIL. 47 00:02:18,066 --> 00:02:20,867 And going forward, we will be prepared to take targeted 48 00:02:20,867 --> 00:02:24,834 and precise military action, if and when we determine 49 00:02:24,834 --> 00:02:27,967 that the situation on the ground requires it. 50 00:02:27,967 --> 00:02:31,333 If we do, I will consult closely with Congress and leaders 51 00:02:31,333 --> 00:02:33,600 in Iraq and in the region. 52 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:36,567 I want to emphasize, though, that the best and most effective 53 00:02:36,567 --> 00:02:40,834 response to a threat like ISIL will ultimately involve 54 00:02:40,834 --> 00:02:46,300 partnerships where local forces, like Iraqis, take the lead. 55 00:02:46,300 --> 00:02:49,700 Finally, the United States will lead a diplomatic effort 56 00:02:49,700 --> 00:02:53,299 to work with Iraqi leaders and the countries in the region 57 00:02:53,300 --> 00:02:56,100 to support stability in Iraq. 58 00:02:56,100 --> 00:02:59,100 At my direction, Secretary Kerry will depart this weekend 59 00:02:59,100 --> 00:03:01,299 for meetings in the Middle East and Europe, 60 00:03:01,300 --> 00:03:04,633 where he'll be able to consult with our allies and partners. 61 00:03:04,633 --> 00:03:08,767 And just as all Iraq's neighbors must respect Iraq's 62 00:03:08,767 --> 00:03:11,834 territorial integrity, all of Iraq's neighbors have 63 00:03:11,834 --> 00:03:14,667 a vital interest in ensuring that Iraq does not descend 64 00:03:14,667 --> 00:03:19,133 into civil war or become a safe haven for terrorists. 65 00:03:19,133 --> 00:03:23,867 Above all, Iraqi leaders must rise above their differences 66 00:03:23,867 --> 00:03:26,200 and come together around a political plan 67 00:03:26,200 --> 00:03:28,700 for Iraq's future. 68 00:03:28,700 --> 00:03:34,166 Shia, Sunni, Kurds -- all Iraqis -- must have confidence that 69 00:03:34,166 --> 00:03:35,934 they can advance their interests and aspirations 70 00:03:35,934 --> 00:03:40,367 through the political process rather than through violence. 71 00:03:40,367 --> 00:03:42,834 National unity meetings have to go forward to build 72 00:03:42,834 --> 00:03:45,800 consensus across Iraq's different communities. 73 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:48,333 Now that the results of Iraq's recent election 74 00:03:48,333 --> 00:03:51,233 has been certified, a new parliament should convene 75 00:03:51,233 --> 00:03:53,200 as soon as possible. 76 00:03:53,200 --> 00:03:55,232 The formation of a new government will be an 77 00:03:55,233 --> 00:03:58,667 opportunity to begin a genuine dialogue and forge a government 78 00:03:58,667 --> 00:04:03,100 that represents the legitimate interests of all Iraqis. 79 00:04:03,100 --> 00:04:04,966 Now, it's not the place for the United States 80 00:04:04,967 --> 00:04:07,266 to choose Iraq's leaders. 81 00:04:07,266 --> 00:04:09,834 It is clear, though, that only leaders that can govern with 82 00:04:09,834 --> 00:04:12,967 an inclusive agenda are going to be able to truly bring 83 00:04:12,967 --> 00:04:16,900 the Iraqi people together and help them through this crisis. 84 00:04:16,899 --> 00:04:19,899 Meanwhile, the United States will not pursue military options 85 00:04:19,899 --> 00:04:24,700 that support one sect inside of Iraq at the expense of another. 86 00:04:24,700 --> 00:04:27,866 There's no military solution inside of Iraq, 87 00:04:27,867 --> 00:04:31,533 certainly not one that is led by the United States. 88 00:04:31,533 --> 00:04:35,000 But there is an urgent need for an inclusive political process, 89 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:37,600 a more capable Iraqi security force, 90 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:39,867 and counterterrorism efforts that deny groups like 91 00:04:39,867 --> 00:04:41,266 ISIL a safe haven. 92 00:04:41,266 --> 00:04:46,934 In closing, recent days have reminded us of the deep scars 93 00:04:46,934 --> 00:04:50,100 left by America's war in Iraq. 94 00:04:50,100 --> 00:04:55,266 Alongside the loss of nearly 4,500 American patriots, 95 00:04:55,266 --> 00:04:57,333 many veterans carry the wounds of that war, 96 00:04:57,333 --> 00:04:59,834 and will for the rest of their lives. 97 00:04:59,834 --> 00:05:04,166 Here at home, Iraq sparked vigorous debates and intense 98 00:05:04,166 --> 00:05:06,867 emotions in the past, and we've seen some of those 99 00:05:06,867 --> 00:05:08,300 debates resurface. 100 00:05:08,300 --> 00:05:12,066 But what's clear from the last decade is the need 101 00:05:12,066 --> 00:05:14,833 for the United States to ask hard questions before 102 00:05:14,834 --> 00:05:20,100 we take action abroad, particularly military action. 103 00:05:20,100 --> 00:05:22,934 The most important question we should all be asking, 104 00:05:22,934 --> 00:05:26,300 the issue that we have to keep front and center -- the issue 105 00:05:26,300 --> 00:05:29,367 that I keep front and center -- is what is in the national 106 00:05:29,367 --> 00:05:33,000 security interests of the United States of America. 107 00:05:33,000 --> 00:05:36,900 As Commander-in-Chief, that's what I stay focused on. 108 00:05:36,900 --> 00:05:39,700 As Americans, that's what all of us should be focused on. 109 00:05:39,700 --> 00:05:42,166 And going forward, we will continue to consult 110 00:05:42,166 --> 00:05:43,800 closely with Congress. 111 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:46,333 We will keep the American people informed. 112 00:05:46,333 --> 00:05:48,033 We will remain vigilant. 113 00:05:48,033 --> 00:05:50,066 And we will continue to do everything in our power to 114 00:05:50,066 --> 00:05:54,133 protect the security of the United States and the safety 115 00:05:54,133 --> 00:05:55,467 of the American people. 116 00:05:55,467 --> 00:05:57,300 So with that, I'm going to take a couple of questions. 117 00:05:57,300 --> 00:06:01,533 I'll start with Colleen McCain Nelson 118 00:06:01,533 --> 00:06:03,300 of the Wall Street Journal. 119 00:06:03,300 --> 00:06:04,467 The Press: Thank you, Mr. President. 120 00:06:04,467 --> 00:06:07,800 Do you have any confidence in Prime Minister Maliki 121 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:09,333 at this point? 122 00:06:09,333 --> 00:06:14,433 And can Maliki bring political stability to Iraq? 123 00:06:14,433 --> 00:06:17,166 The President: As I said, it's not our job to choose 124 00:06:17,166 --> 00:06:18,166 Iraq's leaders. 125 00:06:18,166 --> 00:06:20,734 Part of what our patriots fought for during many years 126 00:06:20,734 --> 00:06:28,233 in Iraq was the right and the opportunity for Iraqis 127 00:06:28,233 --> 00:06:32,900 to determine their own destiny and choose their own leaders. 128 00:06:32,900 --> 00:06:37,200 But I don't think there's any secret that right now at least 129 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:43,900 there is deep divisions between Sunni, Shia and Kurdish leaders. 130 00:06:43,900 --> 00:06:49,532 And as long as those deep divisions continue or worsen, 131 00:06:49,533 --> 00:06:53,000 it's going to be very hard for an Iraqi central government 132 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:56,500 to direct an Iraqi military to deal with these threats. 133 00:06:56,500 --> 00:06:58,667 And so we've consulted with Prime Minister Maliki, 134 00:06:58,667 --> 00:07:01,232 and we've said that to him privately. 135 00:07:01,233 --> 00:07:07,633 We've said it publicly that whether he is prime minister, 136 00:07:07,633 --> 00:07:13,767 or any other leader aspires to lead the country, 137 00:07:13,767 --> 00:07:17,033 that it has to be an agenda in which Sunni, 138 00:07:17,033 --> 00:07:21,567 Shia and Kurd all feel that they have the opportunity 139 00:07:21,567 --> 00:07:24,133 to advance their interests through the political process. 140 00:07:24,133 --> 00:07:27,633 And we've seen over the last two years, 141 00:07:27,633 --> 00:07:33,900 actually dating back to 2008, 2009 -- but I think worse 142 00:07:33,900 --> 00:07:38,900 over the last two years -- the sense among Sunnis that their 143 00:07:38,900 --> 00:07:42,734 interests were not being served, that legislation that had been 144 00:07:42,734 --> 00:07:46,000 promised around, for example, De-Ba'athification 145 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:47,834 had been stalled. 146 00:07:47,834 --> 00:07:55,600 I think that you hear similar complaints that the government 147 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:59,533 in Baghdad has not sufficiently reached out to some of the 148 00:07:59,533 --> 00:08:05,900 tribes and been able to bring them in to a process that 149 00:08:05,900 --> 00:08:12,265 gives them a sense of being part of a unity government 150 00:08:12,266 --> 00:08:14,967 or a single nation-state. 151 00:08:14,967 --> 00:08:17,667 And that has to be worked through. 152 00:08:17,667 --> 00:08:24,833 Part of the reason why we saw better-equipped Iraqi security 153 00:08:24,834 --> 00:08:28,433 forces with larger numbers not be able to hold contested 154 00:08:28,433 --> 00:08:39,000 territory against ISIL probably reflects that lack of a sense 155 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:42,667 of commitment on the part of Sunni communities 156 00:08:42,667 --> 00:08:45,800 to work with Baghdad. 157 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:47,032 And that has to be fixed if we're going 158 00:08:47,033 --> 00:08:49,333 to get through this crisis. 159 00:08:49,333 --> 00:08:51,065 Jim Acosta. 160 00:08:51,066 --> 00:08:52,133 The Press: Thank you, Mr. President. 161 00:08:52,133 --> 00:08:54,533 Americans may look at this decision that you're making 162 00:08:54,533 --> 00:08:57,000 today as a sneak preview of coming attractions; 163 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,867 that the number of advisors that you're planning to send 164 00:08:59,867 --> 00:09:02,367 in may just be the beginning of a boots-on-the-ground 165 00:09:02,367 --> 00:09:04,132 scenario down the road. 166 00:09:04,133 --> 00:09:07,467 Why is Iraq's civil war in the national security interests 167 00:09:07,467 --> 00:09:08,433 of the United States? 168 00:09:08,433 --> 00:09:10,800 And are you concerned about the potential for mission creep? 169 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:13,967 The President: I think we always have to guard against mission 170 00:09:13,967 --> 00:09:21,467 creep, so let me repeat what I've said in the past: American 171 00:09:21,467 --> 00:09:25,967 combat troops are not going to be fighting in Iraq again. 172 00:09:30,900 --> 00:09:38,165 We do not have the ability to simply solve this problem by 173 00:09:38,166 --> 00:09:43,600 sending in tens of thousands of troops and committing the kinds 174 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:47,533 of blood and treasure that has already been expended in Iraq. 175 00:09:47,533 --> 00:09:49,266 Ultimately, this is something that is going to have 176 00:09:49,266 --> 00:09:51,500 to be solved by the Iraqis. 177 00:09:51,500 --> 00:09:56,233 It is in our national security interests not to see an all-out 178 00:09:56,233 --> 00:10:01,065 civil war inside of Iraq, not just for humanitarian reasons, 179 00:10:01,066 --> 00:10:04,533 but because that ultimately can be destabilizing 180 00:10:04,533 --> 00:10:05,600 throughout the region. 181 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:09,740 And in addition to having strong allies there that 182 00:10:09,740 --> 00:10:15,333 we are committed to protecting, obviously issues like energy 183 00:10:15,333 --> 00:10:17,800 and global energy markets continues to be important. 184 00:10:21,100 --> 00:10:23,500 We also have an interest in making sure that we don't have 185 00:10:23,500 --> 00:10:30,600 a safe haven that continues to grow for ISIL and other 186 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:35,433 extremist jihadist groups who could use that as a base 187 00:10:35,433 --> 00:10:39,165 of operations for planning and targeting ourselves, 188 00:10:39,166 --> 00:10:42,734 our personnel overseas, and eventually the homeland. 189 00:10:42,734 --> 00:10:47,133 And if they accumulate more money, 190 00:10:47,133 --> 00:10:52,567 they accumulate more ammunition, more military capability, 191 00:10:52,567 --> 00:10:57,467 larger numbers, that poses great dangers not just to allies 192 00:10:57,467 --> 00:11:00,400 of ours like Jordan, which is very close by, 193 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:07,266 but it also poses a great danger potentially to Europe and 194 00:11:07,266 --> 00:11:08,699 ultimately the United States. 195 00:11:08,700 --> 00:11:13,433 We have already seen inside of Syria that -- or groups like 196 00:11:13,433 --> 00:11:17,967 ISIL that right now are fighting with other extremist groups, 197 00:11:17,967 --> 00:11:23,165 or an Assad regime that was non-responsive to a Sunni 198 00:11:23,166 --> 00:11:29,467 majority there, that that has attracted more and more 199 00:11:29,467 --> 00:11:33,699 jihadists or would-be jihadists, some of them from Europe. 200 00:11:33,700 --> 00:11:38,367 They then start travelingback to Europe, and that, over time, 201 00:11:38,367 --> 00:11:43,132 can create a cadre of terrorists that could harm us. 202 00:11:43,133 --> 00:11:47,033 So we have humanitarian interests 203 00:11:47,033 --> 00:11:48,734 in preventing bloodshed. 204 00:11:48,734 --> 00:11:52,300 We have strategic interests in stability in the region. 205 00:11:52,300 --> 00:11:54,132 We have counterterrorism interests. 206 00:11:54,133 --> 00:11:56,033 All those have to be addressed. 207 00:11:56,033 --> 00:12:02,100 The initial effort for us to get situational awareness through 208 00:12:06,100 --> 00:12:08,667 the reconnaissance and surveillance that we've already 209 00:12:08,667 --> 00:12:14,667 done, coupled with some of our best people on the ground doing 210 00:12:16,734 --> 00:12:20,500 assessments of exactly what the situation is -- starting, 211 00:12:20,500 --> 00:12:23,433 by the way, with the perimeter around Baghdad and making sure 212 00:12:23,433 --> 00:12:26,333 that that's not overrun -- that's a good investment 213 00:12:26,333 --> 00:12:27,533 for us to make. 214 00:12:27,533 --> 00:12:33,934 But that does not foreshadow a larger commitment of troops 215 00:12:33,934 --> 00:12:35,867 to actually fight in Iraq. 216 00:12:35,867 --> 00:12:40,400 That would not be effective in meeting the core interests 217 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:40,967 that we have. 218 00:12:40,967 --> 00:12:42,367 The Press: Just very quickly, do you wish you had left 219 00:12:42,367 --> 00:12:44,500 a residual force in Iraq? 220 00:12:44,500 --> 00:12:47,033 Any regrets about that decision in 2011? 221 00:12:47,033 --> 00:12:49,133 The President: Well, keep in mind that wasn't a decision made 222 00:12:49,133 --> 00:12:54,867 by me; that was a decision made by the Iraqi government. 223 00:12:54,867 --> 00:12:58,733 We offered a modest residual force to help continue 224 00:12:58,734 --> 00:13:03,100 to train and advise Iraqi security forces. 225 00:13:03,100 --> 00:13:08,266 We had a core requirement which we require in any situation 226 00:13:08,266 --> 00:13:10,065 where we have U.S. troops overseas, and that 227 00:13:10,066 --> 00:13:13,567 is, is that they're provided immunity since 228 00:13:13,567 --> 00:13:17,300 they're being invited by the sovereign government there, 229 00:13:17,300 --> 00:13:21,199 so that if, for example, they end up acting in self-defense 230 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:27,166 if they are attacked and find themselves in a tough situation, 231 00:13:29,900 --> 00:13:34,266 that they're not somehow hauled before a foreign court. 232 00:13:34,266 --> 00:13:37,199 That's a core requirement that we have for 233 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:39,300 U.S. troop presence anywhere. 234 00:13:39,300 --> 00:13:43,333 The Iraqi government and Prime Minister Maliki declined 235 00:13:43,333 --> 00:13:46,000 to provide us that immunity. 236 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:51,700 And so I think it is important though to recognize that, 237 00:13:51,700 --> 00:13:57,767 despite that decision, that we have continued to provide them 238 00:13:57,767 --> 00:14:02,400 with very intensive advice and support and have continued 239 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:04,433 throughout this process over the last five years 240 00:14:04,433 --> 00:14:11,633 to not only offer them our assistance militarily, 241 00:14:11,633 --> 00:14:15,667 but we've also continued to urge the kinds of political 242 00:14:15,667 --> 00:14:21,967 compromises that we think are ultimately necessary in order 243 00:14:21,967 --> 00:14:27,266 for them to have a functioning, multi-sectarian democracy 244 00:14:27,266 --> 00:14:29,099 inside the country. 245 00:14:29,100 --> 00:14:32,800 Juliet Eilperin. 246 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:35,000 The Press: Mr. President, you just mentioned Syria 247 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:35,800 a moment ago. 248 00:14:35,800 --> 00:14:38,065 The United States has been slow to provide significant weapons 249 00:14:38,066 --> 00:14:40,667 and training directly to the Syrian opposition. 250 00:14:40,667 --> 00:14:44,767 Has the expansion of the Syria war into Iraq changed your mind 251 00:14:44,767 --> 00:14:47,400 about the type of weapons and training we're now willing 252 00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:48,766 to give the opposition there? 253 00:14:48,767 --> 00:14:51,233 Is that what prompted Secretary Kerry to say of Syria, 254 00:14:51,233 --> 00:14:54,766 "We are augmenting our assistance in significant ways"? 255 00:14:54,767 --> 00:14:57,133 And can you elaborate on what you are you doing now 256 00:14:57,133 --> 00:14:59,567 that you weren't doing before? 257 00:14:59,567 --> 00:15:02,467 The President: That assessment about the dangers of what was 258 00:15:02,467 --> 00:15:07,900 happening in Syria have existed since the very beginning 259 00:15:07,900 --> 00:15:10,333 of the Syrian civil war. 260 00:15:10,333 --> 00:15:12,934 The question has never been whether we thought this 261 00:15:12,934 --> 00:15:14,800 was a serious problem. 262 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:21,233 The question has always been, is there the capacity of moderate 263 00:15:21,233 --> 00:15:28,500 opposition on the ground to absorb and counteract extremists 264 00:15:28,500 --> 00:15:31,600 that might have been pouring in, as well as an Assad regime 265 00:15:31,600 --> 00:15:35,166 supported by Iran and Russia that outmanned them 266 00:15:35,166 --> 00:15:37,133 and was ruthless. 267 00:15:37,133 --> 00:15:43,300 And so we have consistently provided 268 00:15:43,300 --> 00:15:45,300 that opposition with support. 269 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:52,367 Oftentimes, the challenge is if you have former farmers 270 00:15:52,367 --> 00:15:58,367 or teachers or pharmacists who now are taking 271 00:16:01,133 --> 00:16:09,066 up opposition against a battle-hardened regime, with support 272 00:16:09,066 --> 00:16:13,233 from external actors that have a lot at stake, how quickly 273 00:16:13,233 --> 00:16:16,333 can you get them trained; how effective are you able 274 00:16:16,333 --> 00:16:18,165 to mobilize them. 275 00:16:18,166 --> 00:16:22,033 And that continues to be a challenge. 276 00:16:22,033 --> 00:16:27,800 And even before the situation that we saw with ISIL going into 277 00:16:27,800 --> 00:16:33,733 Iraq, we had already tried to maximize what we could do to 278 00:16:33,734 --> 00:16:39,600 support a moderate opposition that not only can counteract the 279 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:46,033 brutality of Assad, but also can make sure that in the minds 280 00:16:46,033 --> 00:16:51,633 of Sunnis they don't think that their only alternative is either 281 00:16:51,633 --> 00:16:58,000 Mr. Assad or extremist groups like ISIL or al Nusra. 282 00:16:58,000 --> 00:16:59,400 The Press: And can you speak to what you might be doing 283 00:16:59,400 --> 00:17:01,900 differently, as the Secretary of State alluded to? 284 00:17:01,900 --> 00:17:06,500 The President: Well, I think that the key to both Syria 285 00:17:06,500 --> 00:17:11,133 and Iraq is going to be a combination of what happens 286 00:17:11,133 --> 00:17:16,066 inside the country working with the moderate Syrian opposition, 287 00:17:16,066 --> 00:17:20,000 working with an Iraqi government that is inclusive, 288 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:24,700 and us laying down a more effective counterterrorism 289 00:17:24,700 --> 00:17:30,233 platform that gets all the countries in the region pulling 290 00:17:30,233 --> 00:17:31,966 in the same direction. 291 00:17:31,967 --> 00:17:35,767 And I alluded to this in the West Point speech. 292 00:17:35,767 --> 00:17:39,033 I talked about it today with respect 293 00:17:39,033 --> 00:17:42,399 to the Counterterrorism Partnership Fund. 294 00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:48,633 There is going to be a long-term problem in this region in which 295 00:17:48,633 --> 00:17:54,133 we have to build and partner with countries 296 00:17:54,133 --> 00:17:59,233 that are committed to our interests, our values. 297 00:17:59,233 --> 00:18:05,934 And at the same time, we have immediate problems 298 00:18:05,934 --> 00:18:09,300 with terrorist organizations that may be advancing. 299 00:18:09,300 --> 00:18:14,734 And rather than try to play Whac-a-Mole wherever these 300 00:18:14,734 --> 00:18:16,332 terrorist organizations may pop up, 301 00:18:16,333 --> 00:18:20,467 what we have to do is to be able to build effective partnerships, 302 00:18:20,467 --> 00:18:23,433 make sure that they have capacity. 303 00:18:23,433 --> 00:18:26,967 Some of the assets that have been devoted solely to 304 00:18:26,967 --> 00:18:32,200 Afghanistan over the last decade we've got to shift to make sure 305 00:18:32,200 --> 00:18:36,133 that we have coverage in the Middle East and North Africa. 306 00:18:36,133 --> 00:18:41,867 You look at a country like Yemen -- a very impoverished country 307 00:18:41,867 --> 00:18:47,332 and one that has its own sectarian or ethnic divisions -- 308 00:18:47,333 --> 00:18:52,333 there, we do have a committed partner in President Hadi 309 00:18:52,333 --> 00:18:53,600 and his government. 310 00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:59,367 And we have been able to help to develop their capacities without 311 00:18:59,367 --> 00:19:02,567 putting large numbers of U.S. troops on the ground 312 00:19:02,567 --> 00:19:05,800 at the same time as we've got enough CT, 313 00:19:05,800 --> 00:19:09,667 or counterterrorism capabilities that we're able to go after 314 00:19:09,667 --> 00:19:12,899 folks that might try to hit our embassy or might be trying 315 00:19:12,900 --> 00:19:18,133 to export terrorism into Europe or the United States. 316 00:19:18,133 --> 00:19:24,200 And looking at how we can create more of those models is going to 317 00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:28,166 be part of the solution in dealing with both 318 00:19:28,166 --> 00:19:29,533 Syria and Iraq. 319 00:19:29,533 --> 00:19:33,800 But in order for us to do that, we still need to have actual 320 00:19:33,800 --> 00:19:36,767 governments on the ground that we can partner with and that 321 00:19:36,767 --> 00:19:41,266 we've got some confidence are going to pursue 322 00:19:41,266 --> 00:19:43,233 the political policies of inclusiveness. 323 00:19:43,233 --> 00:19:46,667 In Yemen, for example, a wide-ranging national dialogue 324 00:19:46,667 --> 00:19:49,567 that took a long time, but helped to give people a sense 325 00:19:49,567 --> 00:19:55,700 that there is a legitimate political outlet for grievances 326 00:19:55,700 --> 00:19:57,333 that they may have. 327 00:19:57,333 --> 00:19:58,834 Peter Maer. 328 00:19:58,834 --> 00:20:01,100 The Press: Thank you, sir. 329 00:20:01,100 --> 00:20:05,533 Going back to where you see Prime Minister al-Maliki playing 330 00:20:05,533 --> 00:20:09,367 a role at this point, you said that it's a time to rise above 331 00:20:09,367 --> 00:20:12,200 differences, that there's a need for more inclusive government. 332 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:13,433 Is he a unifier? 333 00:20:13,433 --> 00:20:17,500 And how much clout does the United States ultimately have 334 00:20:17,500 --> 00:20:21,600 with any of the leadership in Iraq at this point really? 335 00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:23,265 The President: Well, we still provide them 336 00:20:23,266 --> 00:20:24,767 significant assistance. 337 00:20:24,767 --> 00:20:29,433 I think they recognize that, unlike some other players 338 00:20:29,433 --> 00:20:34,800 in the region, we don't have territorial ambitions 339 00:20:34,800 --> 00:20:36,300 in their country. 340 00:20:36,300 --> 00:20:40,667 We're not looking to control their assets or their energy. 341 00:20:42,700 --> 00:20:47,367 We want to make sure that we're vindicating the enormous effort 342 00:20:47,367 --> 00:20:52,300 and sacrifice that was made by our troops in giving them an 343 00:20:52,300 --> 00:20:58,700 opportunity to build a stable, inclusive society that can 344 00:20:58,700 --> 00:21:02,667 prosper and deliver for the basic needs and aspirations 345 00:21:02,667 --> 00:21:05,300 of the Iraqi people. 346 00:21:05,300 --> 00:21:11,700 And at the same time, they are a sovereign country. 347 00:21:11,700 --> 00:21:13,834 They have their own politics. 348 00:21:13,834 --> 00:21:19,333 And what we have tried to do is to give them our best advice 349 00:21:19,333 --> 00:21:23,767 about how they can solve their political problems. 350 00:21:23,767 --> 00:21:27,600 Now that they are in crisis, we are indicating to them that 351 00:21:27,600 --> 00:21:33,934 there is not going to be a simple military solution 352 00:21:33,934 --> 00:21:35,899 to this issue. 353 00:21:35,900 --> 00:21:43,200 If you start seeing the various groups inside of Iraq simply go 354 00:21:43,200 --> 00:21:49,200 to their respective corners, then it is almost certain that 355 00:21:51,633 --> 00:21:54,066 Baghdad and the central government will not be able 356 00:21:54,066 --> 00:21:56,734 to control huge chunks of their own country. 357 00:21:56,734 --> 00:22:02,367 The only way they can do that is if there are credible Sunni 358 00:22:02,367 --> 00:22:08,332 leaders, both at the national level and at the local level, 359 00:22:08,333 --> 00:22:16,834 who have confidence that a Shia majority, that the Kurds, 360 00:22:16,834 --> 00:22:20,800 that all those folks are committed to a fair and just 361 00:22:20,800 --> 00:22:22,899 governance of the country. 362 00:22:22,900 --> 00:22:24,367 Right now, that doesn't exist. 363 00:22:24,367 --> 00:22:27,265 There's too much suspicion, there's too much mistrust. 364 00:22:27,266 --> 00:22:33,600 And the good news is that an election took place in which 365 00:22:33,600 --> 00:22:38,033 despite all this mistrust, despite all this frustration, 366 00:22:38,033 --> 00:22:41,132 despite all this anger, you still had millions of Iraqis 367 00:22:41,133 --> 00:22:44,700 turn out -- in some cases, in very dangerous circumstances. 368 00:22:44,700 --> 00:22:49,400 You now have a court that has certified those elections, 369 00:22:49,400 --> 00:22:51,200 and you have a constitutional process 370 00:22:51,200 --> 00:22:53,834 to advance government formation. 371 00:22:53,834 --> 00:22:59,934 So far, at least, the one bit of encouraging news that we've seen 372 00:22:59,934 --> 00:23:03,533 inside of Iraq is that all the parties have said they continue 373 00:23:03,533 --> 00:23:09,367 to be committed to choosing a leadership and a government 374 00:23:09,367 --> 00:23:13,867 through the existing constitutional order. 375 00:23:13,867 --> 00:23:19,367 So what you're seeing I think is, 376 00:23:19,367 --> 00:23:25,133 as the prospects of civil war heighten, 377 00:23:25,133 --> 00:23:31,166 many Iraq leaders steppingback and saying, 378 00:23:31,166 --> 00:23:33,867 let's not plunge back into the abyss; 379 00:23:33,867 --> 00:23:35,899 let's see if we can resolve this politically. 380 00:23:35,900 --> 00:23:37,333 But they don't have a lot of time. 381 00:23:37,333 --> 00:23:41,266 And you have a group like ISIL that is doing everything 382 00:23:41,266 --> 00:23:45,100 that it can to descend the country back into chaos. 383 00:23:45,100 --> 00:23:49,000 And so one of the messages that we had for Prime Minister Maliki 384 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:54,600 but also for the Speaker of the House and the other leadership 385 00:23:54,600 --> 00:23:59,966 inside of Iraq is, get going on this government formation. 386 00:23:59,967 --> 00:24:03,066 It'll make it a lot easier for them to shape 387 00:24:03,066 --> 00:24:06,133 a military strategy. 388 00:24:06,133 --> 00:24:09,467 It'll also make it possible for us to partner much 389 00:24:09,467 --> 00:24:13,100 more effectively than we can currently. 390 00:24:13,100 --> 00:24:14,332 The Press: Given the Prime Minister's track record, 391 00:24:14,333 --> 00:24:15,867 is he a unifier? 392 00:24:15,867 --> 00:24:19,899 Can he play that role after what we've seen play out over 393 00:24:19,900 --> 00:24:22,734 the last couple of weeks is brought into play? 394 00:24:22,734 --> 00:24:26,800 The President: I think the test is before him and other 395 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:29,300 Iraqi leaders as we speak. 396 00:24:29,300 --> 00:24:32,100 Right now, they can make a series of decisions. 397 00:24:32,100 --> 00:24:34,166 Regardless of what's happened in the past, 398 00:24:34,166 --> 00:24:40,567 right now is a moment where the fate of Iraq hangs 399 00:24:40,567 --> 00:24:44,533 in the balance, and the test for all of them is going 400 00:24:44,533 --> 00:24:50,132 to be whether they can overcome the mistrust, the deep sectarian 401 00:24:50,133 --> 00:24:54,934 divisions, in some cases just political opportunism, 402 00:24:54,934 --> 00:24:57,867 and say this is bigger than any one of us and we've got 403 00:24:57,867 --> 00:25:02,066 to make sure that we do what's right for the Iraqi people. 404 00:25:02,066 --> 00:25:03,934 And that's a challenge. 405 00:25:03,934 --> 00:25:07,133 That's not something that the United States can do for them. 406 00:25:07,133 --> 00:25:08,300 That's not something, by the way, 407 00:25:08,300 --> 00:25:12,233 that the United States Armed Forces can do for them. 408 00:25:12,233 --> 00:25:17,265 We can provide them the space, we can provide them the tools. 409 00:25:17,266 --> 00:25:20,600 But ultimately, they're going to have to make those decisions. 410 00:25:20,600 --> 00:25:26,000 In the meantime, my job is to make sure that American 411 00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:30,200 personnel there are safe; that we are consulting with the Iraqi 412 00:25:30,200 --> 00:25:34,400 security forces; that we're getting a better assessment 413 00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:37,567 of what's on the ground; and that we're recognizing 414 00:25:37,567 --> 00:25:41,767 the dangers of ISIL over the long term, and developing 415 00:25:41,767 --> 00:25:47,633 the kinds of comprehensive counterterrorism strategies 416 00:25:47,633 --> 00:25:50,300 that we're going to need to deal with this issue. 417 00:25:50,300 --> 00:25:56,500 And that's going to involve some short-term responses to make 418 00:25:56,500 --> 00:26:05,467 sure that ISIL is not obtaining capacity to endanger 419 00:26:05,467 --> 00:26:08,400 us directly or our allies and partners. 420 00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:10,266 But it also is going to require some 421 00:26:10,266 --> 00:26:11,567 long-term strategies, as well. 422 00:26:11,567 --> 00:26:19,900 Because part of what we've with respect to ISIL is a broader 423 00:26:19,900 --> 00:26:26,900 trend that I talked about at West Point -- rather than 424 00:26:26,900 --> 00:26:32,166 a single network, a discreet network of terrorists, 425 00:26:32,166 --> 00:26:38,066 this fluid combination of hardened terrorists, 426 00:26:38,066 --> 00:26:42,333 disaffected local leadership. 427 00:26:42,333 --> 00:26:47,500 And where there's vacuums, they're filling it and creating 428 00:26:47,500 --> 00:26:54,000 the potential for serious danger for all concerned. 429 00:26:54,000 --> 00:26:54,934 Thank you very much. 430 00:26:54,934 --> 00:26:56,033 The Press: On Iran, Mr. President, 431 00:26:56,033 --> 00:26:56,833 any words on what you're willing to do, 432 00:26:56,834 --> 00:26:58,233 and are you also willing to work with them? 433 00:27:00,200 --> 00:27:04,266 The President: Our view is that Iran can play a constructive 434 00:27:04,266 --> 00:27:11,367 role if it is helping to send the same message to the Iraqi 435 00:27:11,367 --> 00:27:16,399 government that we're sending, which is that Iraq only holds 436 00:27:16,400 --> 00:27:21,967 together if it's inclusive and that if the interests of Sunni, 437 00:27:21,967 --> 00:27:25,500 Shia and Kurd are all respected. 438 00:27:25,500 --> 00:27:32,233 If Iran is coming in solely as an armed force on behalf 439 00:27:32,233 --> 00:27:36,300 of the Shia, and if it is framed in that fashion, 440 00:27:36,300 --> 00:27:43,899 then that probably worsens the situation and the prospect for 441 00:27:43,900 --> 00:27:46,233 government formation that would actually be constructive 442 00:27:46,233 --> 00:27:48,834 over the long term. 443 00:27:48,834 --> 00:27:50,300 The Press: What's your sense of that right now? 444 00:27:50,300 --> 00:27:54,133 The President: Well, I think that just as Iraq's leaders have 445 00:27:54,133 --> 00:27:57,934 to make decisions, I think Iran has heard from us. 446 00:27:57,934 --> 00:28:02,600 We've indicated to them that it is important for them to avoid 447 00:28:02,600 --> 00:28:09,934 steps that might encourage the kind of sectarian splits 448 00:28:09,934 --> 00:28:13,767 that might lead to civil war. 449 00:28:13,767 --> 00:28:21,233 And the one thing that I think has to be emphasized -- 450 00:28:21,233 --> 00:28:24,600 we have deep differences with Iran across the board 451 00:28:24,600 --> 00:28:26,966 on a whole host of issues. 452 00:28:29,200 --> 00:28:33,266 Obviously, what's happened in Syria in part is the result 453 00:28:33,266 --> 00:28:37,533 of Iran coming in hot and heavy on one side. 454 00:28:37,533 --> 00:28:44,166 And Iran obviously should consider the fact 455 00:28:44,166 --> 00:28:52,200 that if its view of the region is solely through 456 00:28:52,200 --> 00:28:55,567 sectarian frames, they could find themselves fighting 457 00:28:55,567 --> 00:28:57,166 in a whole lot of places. 458 00:28:57,166 --> 00:29:00,133 And that's probably not good for the Iranian economy 459 00:29:00,133 --> 00:29:03,266 or the Iranian people over the long term either. 460 00:29:03,266 --> 00:29:07,600 I suspect there are folks in Iran who recognize that. 461 00:29:07,600 --> 00:29:10,632 A Iraq in chaos on their borders is probably 462 00:29:10,633 --> 00:29:13,300 not in their interests. 463 00:29:13,300 --> 00:29:18,734 But old habits die hard, and we'll have to see whether they 464 00:29:18,734 --> 00:29:25,000 can take what I think would be a more promising path over 465 00:29:25,000 --> 00:29:26,467 the next several days. 466 00:29:26,467 --> 00:29:27,567 Thank you very much, everybody.