Secretary of State John Kerry expressed confidence in the ongoing efforts against ISIS during an interview with Chuck Todd on "Meet the Press." Kerry highlighted the progress made by the coalition, noting that 22 percent of populated areas previously held by ISIS have been reclaimed. He emphasized that this has been achieved without a major offensive and credited the Iraqi army's efforts as they undergo retraining.
Kerry acknowledged that more work is needed, stating, "this is a long-term operation, not a short-term one." He addressed concerns raised by Chancellor Barzani of the Kurdish province in Iraq, who expressed doubts about the effectiveness of current strategies. Kerry responded by emphasizing the importance of patience and explained that ground troops would be necessary for victory.
The conversation also touched on criticism from Senator Lindsey Graham regarding President Obama's strategy of "strategic patience." Kerry attributed ISIS's foothold in Iraq to sectarian issues within the Iraqi army and stressed the significance of building a strong coalition to address these challenges.
On Ukraine, Kerry assured continued U.S. support but refrained from detailing specific assistance plans. He reiterated that there is no military solution to the conflict and urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to choose a diplomatic path.
Regarding Iran nuclear talks, Kerry indicated that an extension would only be considered if significant progress was made towards an agreement. Lastly, when asked about a potential presidential run in 2016, Kerry dismissed any such intentions.