Obama to meet with partners on militant fight

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama and his military commanders are meeting with defense chiefs from more than 20 nations participating in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.

The daylong meeting comes as the White House tries to tout progress in the US-led campaign against the militants, while also girding the public for a military effort that could extend well beyond Obama's presidency.

Among the countries represented at Tuesday's meeting will be Arab nations that have joined the US in launching airstrikes against the militants in Syria, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. European partners like Britain and France are also participating, as is Turkey, a key NATO ally that borders both Syria and Iraq.