US Defense Secretary on announced visit to Baghdad
US Defense Secretary Ash Carter arrived unannounced in Baghdad on Thursday to assess the government's progress in healing the country's sectarian divisions and hear the latest on support for the Iraqi army's coming attempt to recapture the key city of Ramadi, capital of Anbar province, from the Islamic State. The assault has been scheduled to start in several weeks. DEBKAfile: It will be a major test of Iran’s competence for the task assigned it by the Obama administration of leading an offensive to reverse ISIS gains in Iraq, It is Carter's first visit to Iraq since he took office in February.