iraq. for example, down at ramadi, the u.s. or the iraqi forces have a 10:1 advantage over isis in ramadi but they have been unable to take that city. ramadi is critical, according to u.s. officials, because it's the route from raqqa, the isis headquarters there in syria, to mosul. so if they can seize that city, they can cut off that line of communication, supplies going to mosul, and hopefully strangle isis in the second largest city there in iraq. >> indeed. jim, there has been a lot of debate here at home about what the role of u.s. forces is in this conflict. you mentioned those soldiers who are quote, forward deployed but not close to the battle lines. what exactly does that mean? what is their role in this type of conflict? >> reporter: u.s. officials