An ISIS militant carrying the regime's flag in a propaganda video.
The White House is pushing back after President Barack Obama's stated his administration currently doesn't have "a strategy" for dealing with the jihadist group Islamic State, also known as ISIS, and drew headlines across the country.
"I don't want to put the cart before the horse," Obama said at a press briefing late Thursday afternoon. "We don't have a strategy yet."
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest subsequently insisted that Obama specifically articulated a "comprehensive strategy" for dealing with the Islamic State during the briefing.
"In his remarks today, POTUS was explicit - as he has been in the past - about the comprehensive strategy we'll use to confront ISIL threat," Earnest wrote on Twitter.
Earnest then fired off a round of tweets quoting notable times Obama had referenced having a "strategy."
POTUS today: "our military action in Iraq has to be part of a broader, comprehensive strategy to protect our people..." 1/5
- Josh Earnest (@PressSec) August 28, 2014
POTUS today (cont): "...and to support our partners who are taking the fight to ISIL. And that starts with Iraq's leaders... " 2/5
- Josh Earnest (@PressSec) August 28, 2014
POTUS today (cont):"...building on the progress that they've made so far & forming an inclusive govt that will unite their country..." 3/5
- Josh Earnest (@PressSec) August 28, 2014
POTUS today (cont.): "Any successful strategy, though, also needs strong regional partners." 4/5
- Josh Earnest (@PressSec) August 28, 2014
POTUS today (cont.): "I'll be meeting with my National Security Council again this evening as we continue to develop that strategy." 5/5
- Josh Earnest (@PressSec) August 28, 2014