NATO backs fight against ISIL, Iraqi & Afghan support

World Today

President Obama will visit Dallas next week.

He is cutting-short his trip to Europe and returning to the United States, following the NATO Summit in Poland.

A number of policy declarations were made at the two-day Summit in Warsaw.

They include an extension of its mission in Afghanistan and pledges billions more dollars in financial backing.

CCTV America’s Guy Henderson reports.

Barack Obama once pledged to end U.S. entanglement in foreign conflicts. He’s about to become the first American president to serve two full terms at war.

At the end of his final NATO Summit, Obama defended his record.

“When I came to office, we had 180,000 troops in Iraq and Afghanistan – today, we have a fraction of that. They are not involved in active combat situations but are involved in training, advice and assist situations other than the direct attacks that we launch against ISIL,” he said.

The U.S. has plans to withdraw some 1,400 troops from Afghanistan by year’s end. But NATO expects other members to make up the difference – and it’s pledged billions of dollars in aid to the Afghan army.

Leaders agreed to launch a NATO training mission inside Iraq as well; and contribute surveillance aircraft in the fight against ISIL.