>> we have gone down the path of the united states trying to control exactly what happens inside of iraq. that didn't serve our interests very well. >> does this? >> ultimately what we want to do -- it's certainly better than the united states committing a certain number of ground troops in iraq and syria. what we want to try to do is work with the iraqis and the rest of the international community to keep the fight focused on isil. there has been a lot of talk about bashar al assad of late. it is the view of the united states as it has been for quite some time that's a result of his failed leadership that isil was able to establish a foothold in syria, to project powers into places like iraq and capitalize on the instability in that country. the root of all of this is the failed leadership of boston marathon br. that's why we've made the case that he has lost the legitimacy to lead that country. we'd like to work with other countries to facilitate the political transition that's