Tillerson seeks help to stabilize Iraq, Syria

WASHINGTON — Defeating the Islamic State is the top U.S. priority in the Middle East, but other countries will be expected to contribute more to stabilize Iraq and Syria once the militants are expelled, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Wednesday.

“The United States will do its part,” he said, speaking at the State Department at the start of a two-day strategy session of more than 60 countries and international organizations in the U.S.-led coalition to defeat the Islamic State. “But circumstances on the ground require more from all of you. I ask each country to examine how it can best support stabilization efforts.”

Although President Donald Trump said during the campaign that he had a “secret” plan to defeat the Islamic State, Tillerson’s remarks suggested that the Trump administration’s strategy closely mirrors the approach of former President Barack Obama.

Both have centered on the extensive use of airstrikes and support for local allies on the ground. Other aspects include stopping foreign fighters from entering the battle zone or establishing outposts elsewhere; addressing humanitarian needs and stabilizing liberated areas; and blocking recruitment via social media.

Obama also emphasized stopping terrorist financing, a goal that Tillerson indicated had been addressed in depth.

“To me, this is very similar,” said Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders.

Tillerson said “defeating ISIS is the United States’ No. 1 goal in the region,” using an acronym for the Islamic State. But he stressed that after putting what he said was three-quarters of the military resources toward expelling Islamic State forces from Iraq and Syria, the United States would look to others to pick up a larger share of an estimated $2 billion needed for stabilization and reconstruction this year.

The session signals that the new administration intends to maintain leadership of a sprawling diplomatic effort that Obama began in 2014 against the Islamic State, despite Trump’s characterizing his predecessor’s strategy as weak and ineffectual.