Defense, foreign ministers to plan next steps against IS

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (AP) — Defense Secretary Ash Carter said today that leaders at a counter-Islamic State meeting expressed concerns about what happens after the expected defeat of the militant group, and whether countries are ready to help stabilize and rebuild the war-torn cities in Iraq and Syria.

Carter also said that some nations have agreed to step up their contributions to the fight, as battles for the key cities of Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria loom.

Defense and foreign leaders from more than 30 countries are in Washington for two days of meetings on the next steps to be taken in the fight to defeat the Islamic State group, which still maintains control of large sections of Iraq and Syria.

Speaking to reporters after the first day's session wrapped up at Joint Base Andrews, Carter said a lot of the conversations were about identifying the needs for reconstruction after the battles are over. They worried, he said, that stabilization and reconstruction will lag behind the military operations.

He said the ministers want to make sure "that our planning and execution" of those post-battle needs are aligned with the military effort.