Defense Secretary Ash Carter testifies before the House Armed Services Committee, June 17, 2015. Carter outlined the Defense Department’s strategy on dealing with terror threats in the Middle East and approaches to dealing with recent significant gains by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. DoD photo by Glenn Fawcett
Washington Post: Fight against the Islamic State enters a new phase with pledge from seven countries
PARIS – The U.S.-led military coalition’s fight against the Islamic State militant group entered a new phase on Wednesday, with defense ministers from the seven countries most heavily involved in the operation pledging to continue fighting and look for ways to more aggressively target the group.
The United States, France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Australia and the Netherlands made the promise here after a joint meeting hosted by U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter and his French counterpart, Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. The group’s members said in a joint statement that they have “expressed our broad support for the campaign plan objectives, and the need to continue gathering momentum in our campaign.”
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Update #1: US, Allies Agree to Intensify Fight Against Islamic State -- AP
Update #2: US, allies to intensify fight against Islamic State group -- France 24
WNU Editor: Defense Ministers from 27 Countries to meet next month to plan and implement a strategy against the Islamic State .... Carter: 26 Defense Ministers to Meet for IS Talks Next Month (VOA). MOre here .... US to Convene 27-Nation Meeting on ISIS (Defense One).