WASHINGTON — Emerging from his first Pentagon briefing as president, Ba rack Obama said Wednesday that his administration faces “difficult decisions” about Iraq and Afghanistan. But the new commander in chief offered no further details about his plans as the U.S. carries on wars in both countries.
“Our efforts to continue to go after extremist organizations that would do harm to our homeland is uppermost on our minds,” Obama told reporters after spending about two hours at the Defense Department’s headquarters.
Obama underscored that troops and their families have his support and said the U.S. military has carried out its mission under enormous pressure.
The White House said earlier Wednesday that Obama’s review of how to wind down the war in Iraq will conclude soon.
At the Pentagon, Obama met with the four military-service leaders, one more step toward fulfilling his promise of withdrawing all combat troops from Iraq. He has called for a 16-month withdrawal.
Defense officials have said they can meet Obama’s campaign pledge, but several have suggested that a fast withdrawal could upset the fragile security in Iraq.
“We are developing other options as well,” Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday.
