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White House Seeks to Clarify Obama's ISIS Answer

The White House sought to clarify President Barack Obama’s comment that “we don’t have a strategy yet” for dealing with Islamic militants in Syria.
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The White House sought to clarify President Barack Obama’s comment that “we don’t have a strategy yet” for dealing with Islamic militants in Syria, saying Friday that much has already been done to combat the violent extremists and the administration is reviewing further military options.

“The president hasn't yet laid out a specific plan for military action in Syria,” said White House press secretary Josh Earnest. “And the reason for that is simply that the Pentagon is still developing that plan and he is still reviewing it.”

Obama drew criticism Thursday when he said “we don’t have a strategy yet” to strike Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Syria.

“The president was candid about the fact that the Pentagon is still reviewing options that may be available to him,” Earnest said.

He added that the U.S. has taken military action against ISIS in Iraq and that the U.S. has a comprehensive strategy that includes working with regional powers to stop the militants.

-- Andrew Rafferty