Tim Kaine statement on President Obama’s Iraq announcement

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern, South and Central Asian Affairs, issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s announcement on Iraq today:

“I am encouraged that the President is dispatching Secretary of State John Kerry to the Middle East to first try to improve political conditions in this challenging environment. The current situation in Iraq is ultimately a crisis of governance, which has allowed extremist groups to take advantage of disillusioned segments of the Iraqi population. I’m also pleased that additional measures are being taken to protect our embassies and personnel serving at diplomatic posts in Iraq. The announcement of additional military advisors and assets is a prudent move to assess the ISIL threat, and I look forward to continued close consultation with the administration on any potential military action.”