barack obama talking about the situation in iraq. >> we had the situation in pretty good shape in 2010, first part of 2011. i think the security in iraq was pretty good. the security forces were pretty good. but, that was because we had presence on the ground and we had influence so we could restrain maliki's first instincts, which were anti-sunni, and we could ensure that the leaders of the iraqi security forces actually were competent and well-trained instead of a bunch of political hacks which is what -- who maliki put in place. >> maliki, norry al maliki former prime minister of iraq. >> he went on to say and is he a man of vast experience whose judgment should be respected that the 3,000 people we have there or probably enough. if they were used properly. particularly if they were in forward air control positions so that they could make our air force strikes more effective than they so far have been. we went into iraq saying we