In other news, the United Nations and the Department of Defense estimate that ISIS still has between 20,000 to 30,000 fighters which is the same number they had 4 years ago.
WASHINGTON ― While President Donald Trump claims he has “eradicated,” “wiped out” and even “absolutely obliterated” ISIS, there is one group that has ignored the president’s words: the terrorists themselves. [...]
The Defense Department’s report for the three-month period ending June 30 found as many as 17,100 ISIS fighters remaining in Iraq, with another 14,000 in Syria – numbers in line with the U.N.’s estimate of 20,000 to 30,000 fighters spread between the two nations.
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania attorney general's office says hundreds of calls have come into their abuse hotline following the grand jury report on abuse by Catholic priests. They did say there could be many more victims that never reported it.
Finally, Defense officials testified in a closed-door meeting that the Trump regime's refusal to accept Iraqi refugees will harm their ongoing efforts in the region.
The Pentagon is concerned that not providing safe haven to more of the Iraqis, many of whom interpreted and did other key tasks for U.S. forces, will harm national security by dissuading locals from cooperating with the United States in Iraq and other conflict zones, the officials said. [...]
As of Aug. 15, just 48 Iraqis have been admitted to the United States this fiscal year through a special refugee program meant for people who worked for the U.S. government or American contractors, news media or non-governmental groups, according to data provided by the State Department. More than 3,000 came last year and about 5,100 in 2016.