Carter gives deployed U.S. airmen pep talk for fighting ISIL, Iran's clout

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter recently spoke to U.S. airmen earlier this week at Al-Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, highlighting their role in defeating the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the need to counter Iran’s influence in the area.

“There isn't going to be a state based on this ideology,” Carter said, concerning ISIL’s declaration of a caliphate in the territories it occupies. “That’s what you are up to here, and we also, secondly, need to go after every place (where ISIL has) spread around the world. We're doing that, too.”

Carter discussed U.S. strategy to counter ISIL, which is centered around enabling local forces in Iraq and Syria to fight the group, through both assistance from special operations personnel and training from the U.S. and coalition partners. Carter also celebrated the progress that has been made against ISIL, including reclaiming Ramadi and Beiji, and severing communications between Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq.

“But we’re looking to do more,” Carter said. “We’re looking for opportunities, in essence, to get this over with faster. So if you see something, say something to your commanders.”

Carter also addressed the disruptive potential of Iran, saying that the nuclear deal with the country, while removing nuclear weapons from the picture, does not address the nation’s capabilities for outright aggression and destructive activity.