WASHINGTON : The Islamic State group’s seizure of Ramadi represents a painful blow to the US-led war against the jihadists, raising fresh doubts about Washington’s war strategy and the military strength of its partners in Iraq.

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Ellen Laipson, president of the Stimson Center and a former senior intelligence official, said ultimately it was up to the Iraqi government to prevail on the battlefield.”They have to be able to create enough esprit de corps and morale within the Iraqi national forces to be able to defend their territory on the ground,” she said. “We cannot defend it ourselves.” 

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