There are more rumors coming from Iraq that ISIS is making even more headway towards Baghdad, threatening our enormous embassy with our American diplomats and staff. In response, the State Department announced that U.S. military has been sent to Baghdad:
Between 50 and 100 U.S. Marines and U.S. Army personnel have arrived at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, a U.S. official told CNN on Sunday.
A U.S official acknowledged to CNN that the additional embassy security personnel being added include U.S. Marines who specialize in embassy protection during high-threat conditions.
This after having many of the staff evacuated earlier today. Obama is being “updated:”
WH says Pres Obama updated again last night and this morning by @AmbassadorRice on developments in Iraq & options for US action.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 15, 2014
… and “informed:”
WH says Rice also informed POTUS of Pentagon action to deploy additional military personnel protect US diplomatic facilities in Baghdad.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 15, 2014
But is he actually making any decisions?
A Pentagon statement says it's helping to relocate US personnel as needed from Iraq & standing by to evacuate more should State Dept ask.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 15, 2014
Psaki says Embassy Iraq relocating some personnel to US Consulates in Basra, Erbil or to the Iraq Support Unit in Amman.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 15, 2014
State Dept official also says @JohnKerry discussed ISIL/ISIS threat in calls to the Foreign Ministers of Jordan, UAE, Saudi Arabia & Qatar.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 15, 2014
Hey, no worries – our president is so on top of everything, he had the chance to get a round of golf in today:
Pres Obama playing a round of golf toay at Porcupine Creek in Rancho Mirage, a 249-acre private club owned by Oracle founder Larry Ellison.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 15, 2014
Leader of the free world, right? With a looming terrorist threat he said we had defeated.