Ashton Carter actually said...

I reject the notion that Russia should be afforded a 'sphere of influence.'

Carter emphasizes the importance of resisting Russian influence in non-NATO states.

02/03/2015

More Ashton Carter Quotes

Ramadi needs to be retaken, and the way to do it is to have a force under the competent command and control of Iraqi Security Forces command...

The battlefield situation informs the efforts to train and equip the Iraqi Kurds and Sunni tribes.

The Department does not have a clear picture of Shia militia recruiting and the impact of Shia militia recruiting on the ability of the Iraq...

The United States and Coalition already use the Iraqi Kurdistan Region as a base of operations to support Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR).