Secretary Ash Carter

Today's security environment is dramatically different than the one we've been engaged with for the last 25 years, and it requires new ways of thinking and new ways of acting.

Secretary Ash Carter

What apparently happened was that the Iraqi forces just showed no will to fight, they were not outnumbered. In fact, they vastly outnumbered the opposing force, and yet they failed to fight.

Secretary Ash Carter

If there comes a time when we need to change the kinds of support we're giving to the Iraqi forces, we'll make that recommendation, but what happened in Ramadi was a failure of the Iraqi forces to fight.

Secretary Ash Carter

We can give them training, we can give them equipment -- we obviously can't give them the will to fight, but if we give them training, we give them equipment, and give them support, and give them some time, I hope they will develop the will to fight, because only if they fight can ISIL remain defeated.

Secretary Ash Carter