WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama and his military commanders will meet today 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 U.S.-led campaign against the militants, while also girding the public for a military effort that could extend well beyond Obama’s presidency. Administration officials said the meeting would focus on military strategy and ways to bolster the campaign to counter the extremists.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the meeting would be an important effort to further coordinate and organize the international fight against the Islamic State militants.

“They will be working through those specific areas and defining specific contributions that these nations will make,” Hagel told reporters at the end of Monday’s meeting with defense ministers of the Americas in Arequipa, Peru.

Among the countries represented today will be Arab nations that have joined the U.S. in launching strikes 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 neighbors both Syria and Iraq.