The Islamic State Fighters In

Isis Is On Its Way To Defeat But Terrorism Threat Persists.

The Progress In Iraq Is Still Fragile. And It Could Still Be Reversed. Iraq Still Faces Innumerable Challenges, And They Will Be Evident During What Will Likely Be A Difficult Process As The Newly Elected Council Of Representatives Selects The Next Prime Minister, President, And Speaker Of The Council.

Even The Interior Ministry In Riyadh Was Hit. Since Then, The Saudis Have Employed A Very Intelligent And Comprehensive Approach To Counter Al-qaida, Including Precise Operations Based On Good Intelligence, Changes In Their Corrections Facilities, Superb Strategic Communications Programs And A Host Of Other Initiatives - All Of Which, Together, Have Helped Saudi Arabia Achieve Impressive Results In Their Fight Against Extremists.

President Obama Has Said That Our Aspirations Should Be Realistic. We Are Not Going To Turn One Of The Poorest Countries In The World, That Was Plunged Into 30 Years Of War, Into An Advanced, Industrialized, Western-style Democracy. What We Want To Achieve Is Afghanistan's Capacity To Secure And Govern Itself.

Reconciliation Is What Takes Place, Of Course, At Higher Levels. President Karzai Has Been Very Clear About The Red Lines For Reconciliation, Accept The Constitution, Lay Down Their Weapons, Cut Their Ties With Al Qaeda And Essentially Become Productive Or At Least Participating Members Of Society In That Regard.