Obama Briefed on Iraq, Ukraine, Gaza While on Vacation - East Idaho News
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Obama Briefed on Iraq, Ukraine, Gaza While on Vacation

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GETTY 81214 ObamaFlag?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1407873317276Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — While on vacation in Martha’s Vineyard Tuesday, President Obama was briefed by National Security advisor Susan Rice on ongoing national security developments.

The briefing included the latest military and political updates in Iraq, and the situations in Ukraine and Gaza, among other issues.

The president also spoke separately with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

According to the White House’s readout of Obama’s call with Harper, the two leaders spoke about the situation in Iraq and “agreed to work with other partners in the international community to provide additional, immediate humanitarian assistance, and to continue developing options to secure the safety of the civilians on Mount Sinjar.”

The two also discussed efforts to counter the threat posed by ISIS and “agreed on the need for Iraqi political leaders from all factions to put aside their differences and to form an inclusive government capable of pulling the country together,” the White House said.

Obama called Erdogan, meanwhile, to congratulate him on being elected Turkey’s next president. The two also discussed cease-fire efforts in Gaza, the terrorist threat emanating from Iraq and Syria, and Iraq’s government.


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