security forces. so any action we may take to provide assistance to iraqi security forces has to be joined by a serious and sincere effort by iraq's leaders to set aside sectarian differences, to promote stability, and account for the legitimate interests of all of iraq's communities. and to continue to build the capacity of an effective security force. we can't do it for them. and in the absence of this type of political effort, short term military action including any assistance we might provide won't succeed. >> joining us now, jim acosta, christiane amanpour, and arwa damon. she's in the it northenorthern country. the president says he's considering various options but what exactly is on the table based on all the information we're hearing? >> the information we're hearing is that the president is