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| Obama Says Coalition Forces Have Blunted Islamic State Momentum | |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| JOINT BASE McGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. — President Obama on Monday said that after several months of fighting, the United States and its partners had halted the momentum of Islamic extremists in Iraq and Syria, making clear to them that Americans will not back down and in the end, “we will get you.” | JOINT BASE McGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. — President Obama on Monday said that after several months of fighting, the United States and its partners had halted the momentum of Islamic extremists in Iraq and Syria, making clear to them that Americans will not back down and in the end, “we will get you.” |
| Mr. Obama flew to a New Jersey military base to thank troops for their service heading into the holiday season and to defend his handling of national security at a time of multiple challenges. While critics have said the campaign against the Islamic State has not succeeded, the president argued that it had made a difference. | Mr. Obama flew to a New Jersey military base to thank troops for their service heading into the holiday season and to defend his handling of national security at a time of multiple challenges. While critics have said the campaign against the Islamic State has not succeeded, the president argued that it had made a difference. |
| “Because of you, we have blunted their momentum and we have put them on the defensive,” Mr. Obama told 3,000 troops in camouflage uniforms and civilian defense personnel gathered in a hangar here. “And these terrorists are learning the same thing that the leaders of Al Qaeda have learned the hard way. They may think that they can chalk up some quick victories, but our reach is long. We do not give up. You threaten America, you will have no safe haven. We will find you." | “Because of you, we have blunted their momentum and we have put them on the defensive,” Mr. Obama told 3,000 troops in camouflage uniforms and civilian defense personnel gathered in a hangar here. “And these terrorists are learning the same thing that the leaders of Al Qaeda have learned the hard way. They may think that they can chalk up some quick victories, but our reach is long. We do not give up. You threaten America, you will have no safe haven. We will find you." |
| With a C-130 Hercules parked to his left, Mr. Obama said American airstrikes coupled with local forces on the ground had inflicted heavy losses on the Islamic State, also known as ISIS and ISIL. The American-led coalition, he said, has taken out commanders, fighters, checkpoints, buildings, barracks, hundreds of vehicles and tanks and nearly 200 oil and gas facilities that were financing its efforts, while also damaging its command and control structure and fracturing its supply lines. “America led the way,” he said. “That’s what we do." | With a C-130 Hercules parked to his left, Mr. Obama said American airstrikes coupled with local forces on the ground had inflicted heavy losses on the Islamic State, also known as ISIS and ISIL. The American-led coalition, he said, has taken out commanders, fighters, checkpoints, buildings, barracks, hundreds of vehicles and tanks and nearly 200 oil and gas facilities that were financing its efforts, while also damaging its command and control structure and fracturing its supply lines. “America led the way,” he said. “That’s what we do." |
| The president acknowledged that victory was still a long way off even as he framed his goal in more definitive terms than when he initially talked of “degrading” the Islamic State. “This campaign in Iraq will take time,” he said. “But make no mistake, our coalition isn’t just going to degrade this barbarous terrorist organization, we’re going to destroy it.” | The president acknowledged that victory was still a long way off even as he framed his goal in more definitive terms than when he initially talked of “degrading” the Islamic State. “This campaign in Iraq will take time,” he said. “But make no mistake, our coalition isn’t just going to degrade this barbarous terrorist organization, we’re going to destroy it.” |
| Joining Mr. Obama for his brief visit was Gov. Chris Christie, a possible Republican candidate to replace him in 2016. On the tarmac, after Air Force One landed, Mr. Obama and Mr. Christie greeted each other like old friends, chatting amiably, shaking hands and patting arms. | Joining Mr. Obama for his brief visit was Gov. Chris Christie, a possible Republican candidate to replace him in 2016. On the tarmac, after Air Force One landed, Mr. Obama and Mr. Christie greeted each other like old friends, chatting amiably, shaking hands and patting arms. |
| Mr. Christie did not stop to talk with reporters following the president, nor did he have a speaking role at the event in the base hangar. | Mr. Christie did not stop to talk with reporters following the president, nor did he have a speaking role at the event in the base hangar. |