President Obama on Monday reverted to his classic defense posture when faced with criticism of one of his failed policies: Invite a larger discussion on how to improve it, and then never meet to talk.

Obama appeared in Turkey three days after terrorist attacks ripped through Paris, killing 129 people. With Paris calling for war, Obama was faced with tough questions from the press about whether it’s time to send U.S. ground forces into the Middle East to stop the Islamic State once and for all.