Boehner says Obama needs to better explain overseas military missions

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said on Thursday that President Obama needs to speak out to explain U.S. interests in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.

Boehner, who said he understands the current U.S. security role in that region, told reporters that the president needs to articulate that message to the American people.

“I think the president has a role to play here, and the president really does need to step up and help the American people understand these missions are vital to the national security interests of our country,” the top-ranking House Republican stated at a press conference in the U.S. Capitol.

Last week, the House came very close to approving a measure that would have removed U.S. forces from Afghanistan — Boehner attributes weariness on the part of lawmakers to a general frustration from the public as to the need for U.S. forces in the Middle East.

“I really do believe that the president needs to speak out, in terms of our mission in Afghanistan, our mission in Iraq, our mission in Libya and the doubts that our members have frankly — they are reflecting what they are hearing from their constituents,” Boehner said.

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