Ash Carter

France, the UK, and Germany's decision to expand their counter-ISIL operations will significantly enhance the Coalition's efforts.

I am confident in the strength of the United States' partnership with Iraq.

We believe very strongly that they did.

I believe that Prime Minister Abadi is committed to this vision for Iraq.

The Department of Defense addresses the totality of threats posed by Iran.

I share your concerns about the sectarian nature of Iran's approach in Iraq.

Russia has built and tested a ground-launched cruise missile system that violates the Treaty.

Their actions are--as I--the phrase I've used is 'pouring gasoline on the civil war in Syria.'

I believe he's genuine, he's trying to create there, which is one he calls it, I think, a decentralized Iraq.

In order to have what you're correctly identifying as the end state that will keep the peace in the long run, there has to be, first of all, in Syria, a political transition from Assad to a government that includes some of the opposition.

I very much would like, and we would very much welcome--and we've repeatedly said this--working with those countries on the ground.

I have consistently emphasized to them that they have a unique role, here, and also, insofar as they're concerned about Iran.

I will note here--and there--this is uneven across Europe, but, in general, I am quite concerned with the level of investment that Europe is making in its militaries.

In no way will this take away from our strong condemnation of Russian actions in Ukraine.

We will continue our strong support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity.

We will continue our efforts to degrade and defeat ISIL, which poses a threat to the United States and the international community.

Allowing sequestration to return would deprive U.S. forces of what they need to accomplish their missions around the world.

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

The Department does not have a clear picture of Shia militia recruiting and the impact of Shia militia recruiting on the ability of the Iraqi Government to recruit Iraqis for the Iraqi Security Force.

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

The United States will not take any action inconsistent with our obligations under the INF Treaty as long as those obligations remain in force.

The longer-term impact of sequestration would damage our national security, ultimately resulting in a military that is too small and insufficiently equipped.

No, the Department has sufficient authorities under the Iraq Train and Equip Fund authority to provide assistance to military and other security forces of or associated with the Government of Iraq.

I do not believe that expanding the use of Iraqi Kurdistan as a base of operations is necessary at this time to defeat the Islamic State and check malign Iranian influence in the region.

Assad needs to go, but the structures of governance need to stay or we hope they will stay.