James Jeffrey: “An enduring Iraqi-United States partnership will be critical in enabling Iraq to be that positive force.”

I took this job on the assumption that this Administration would stand by its commitments and would hold the line on Syria. So far, I believe it has absolutely done so.

It has been American leadership through two Administrations. It has been an 80-country, an organization coalition, a true international effort.

It is a good example of how we can succeed by, with, and through the international community and local partners, and it is a good model for the future.

We would much prefer to pursue the positive agenda of deescalation and political reinvigoration I just described, but we are prepared to maintain our policy of pressure...