Obama, King Abdullah plot strategy against Islamic State

In a meeting at the White House Friday with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, President Obama said a U.S-led coalition is making “slow but steady progress” in creating a moderate Syrian army to fight the Islamic State terrorist group.

Mr. Obama said the battle against the Islamic State is not just a military campaign but a diplomatic one, and he praised Jordan for shouldering its responsibility in the campaign in Syria and Iraq.

During the Oval Office meeting, the king said Jordanians stand “shoulder to shoulder against extremism” with the U.S....