Pentagon sending more U.S. troops to Iraq

Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Tuesday that the he would soon be sending more U.S. troops to Iraq to help train more Iraqi military and police units in the fight against the Islamic State.

“With respect to trainers, I expect the number of trainers to increase, and also the variety of training they are giving,” Carter said in a press availability during a flight from Washington to Paris. “I think we’re certainly open to that. … The president has indicated that wherever there is additional opportunity to make a difference according to the strategy, we’d be willing to do that.”

Carter is set to meet with defense ministers from France, Britain, Australia, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands on Wednesday to determine whether they will partner with the U.S. on this project.