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U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke during a news conference on Thursday (August 21) at the Pentagon, saying that the U.S. is pursuing a "long-term strategy against ISIL because ISIL clearly poses a long-term threat."
He encouraged political reform within Iraq; "A united Iraq will be a more secure and prosperous Iraq. Political reform will make it harder for ISIL to exploit sectarian divisions. The United State and the international community will increase support for Iraq in tandem with political progress," Hagel said.
The U.S. military earlier this summer carried out an attempt to rescue journalist James Foley and other American hostages held in Syria, a U.S. official said on Wednesday, in an operation that the Pentagon said ultimately failed to find the captives.
"We all regret that mission did not succeed," said Hagel. "But I'm very proud, very proud of the U.S. forces that participated in it. And the United States will
