WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senior State Department advisers Monday briefed President Bush on how to shape U.S. policy in Iraq as part of Bush's mission to come up with a new strategy.

He has said that he intends to communicate that strategy to the nation before Christmas.

"There is no question we've got to make sure that the State Department and the Defense Department -- the efforts and their recommendations are closely coordinated, so that when I do speak to the American people, they will know that I've listened to all aspects of government and that the way forward is the way forward to achieve our objective: to succeed in Iraq," Bush said shortly after meeting with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other State Department advisers.

Later in the day, Bush will meet with a group of Iraqi experts, including historians and former generals, in the Oval Office.