President Barack Obama on Thursday said the United States is prepared to take “targeted and precise” military action against Islamist militants in Iraq and said up to 300 military advisers will be sent to train and support Iraqi security forces. “American forces will not be returning to combat in Iraq, but we will help Iraqis as they take the fight to terrorists,” Obama said. Asked whether he regretted not leaving a residual American force in Iraq at that time, Obama said that it was a decision made by the Iraqi government. He announced that Secretary of State John Kerry will travel this weekend to the Middle East and Europe to lead a diplomatic effort with Iraq.
