US President Barack Obama on Isis: 'We Don't Have a Strategy Yet'

US President Barack Obama said in a press conference on Thursday (28 August) that despite the Isis (now known as Islamic State) militants losing arms because of US air strikes, "US doesn't have a strategy yet".

"Our focus right now is to protect American personnel on the ground in Iraq. I don't want to put the cart before the horse, we don't have a strategy yet," said Obama.

The Daily Beast has reported that Obama has requested a war plan for IS to be drafted by Friday (29 August).

Obama said the strategy needs to involve the right mix of military action, political reform within Iraq, and diplomatic support from allies in the region to confront IS.

"Our military is the best in the world. We can rout Isis on the ground and keep a lid on things temporarily, but then as soon as we leave the same problems come back," said Obama.

The US has conducted a total of 106 air strikes against IS targets in Iraq over the last three weeks, reported the Business Insider.

Obama on the Ukraine crisis

"Russia is responsible for the violence in east Ukraine. This ongoing Russian incursion into Ukraine will only bring more costs and consequences for Russia," said President Obama on the topic of the Eastern Ukraine crisis.

According to a pro-Russian rebel leader, Alexander Zakharchenko, approximately 3,000 to 4,000 Russian citizens are fighting with separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has also declared an emergency after confirming that Russian troops have invaded Ukraine.

"The world must provide assessment of sharp aggravation of the situation in Ukraine," he said.

Yet, Obama is clear in his strategy on this front and says military confrontation between Russia and the US is 'not in the cards'.

"We are not taking military action to solve the Ukrainian problem," said Obama.