More U.S. troops may be needed in Iraq to wage the fight against the Islamic State. If and when accelerated deployments would take place is still to be determined. Both Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a March 25 press briefing at the Pentagon that they expressed their related concerns to President Obama, who ultimately would make any decisions regarding increased presence in Iraq. “[We] believe that there will be in increase to the U.S. forces in Iraq in the coming weeks, but the decision hasn’t been made,” Dunford said.