Crisis in Iraq:
Over the last few days the militant group ISIS has taken control of Iraqi cities including Mosul, Iraq's 2nd largest city. Faluja was taken over by militants 6 months ago. ISIS now controls territory from western Syria to central Iraq. There are fears Baghdad could also fall into their hands. ISIS, The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, is an organization that was once a part of Al Qaeda. They fight to establish an Islamic state across the region, where they can impose Sharia law.
The Iraqis who fled Mosul say they prefer the militants to the Maliki government. Iraq was included on a list of the world's 7 most corrupt governments. Soldiers and their commanders abandoned bases in Mosul, all but ceding Iraqi's 2nd largest city to extremest fighters belonging to ISIS. After months of grinding conflict against a resurgent militant movement the Iraqi army is having its power blunted by a rise in desertions turning the tide of the war and fragmenting an institution.
The fear in this is that if ISIS is successful, we will end up with a state that openly sponsors terrorism. Now there are various organizations including Al Qaeda and ISIS who sponsor terrorism, but must operate in the shadows.
President Obama told the nation America will not put boots on the ground again in Iraq. He is considering other options such as air strikes and drone strikes. I believe he is correct in not sending American soldiers to Iraq. I would not like to see any military action at all. The post-war Iraqi military is trained and funded by the U.S. It is time for the Iraqis to take responsibility for themselves. How long are we going to support them?
The United States promulgates and supports democracy wherever it can. It can not, however, impose democracy. Perhaps for certain peoples given their history democracy is not possible or even desirable. To be sure, the United States must provide for its own security. Terrorism against America and American citizens must be met with a swift and sure response. Perhaps we have something to learn from the Israelis. They have been dealing with these kinds of threats for a long time.
What do you think?
The Iraqis who fled Mosul say they prefer the militants to the Maliki government. Iraq was included on a list of the world's 7 most corrupt governments. Soldiers and their commanders abandoned bases in Mosul, all but ceding Iraqi's 2nd largest city to extremest fighters belonging to ISIS. After months of grinding conflict against a resurgent militant movement the Iraqi army is having its power blunted by a rise in desertions turning the tide of the war and fragmenting an institution.
The fear in this is that if ISIS is successful, we will end up with a state that openly sponsors terrorism. Now there are various organizations including Al Qaeda and ISIS who sponsor terrorism, but must operate in the shadows.
President Obama told the nation America will not put boots on the ground again in Iraq. He is considering other options such as air strikes and drone strikes. I believe he is correct in not sending American soldiers to Iraq. I would not like to see any military action at all. The post-war Iraqi military is trained and funded by the U.S. It is time for the Iraqis to take responsibility for themselves. How long are we going to support them?
The United States promulgates and supports democracy wherever it can. It can not, however, impose democracy. Perhaps for certain peoples given their history democracy is not possible or even desirable. To be sure, the United States must provide for its own security. Terrorism against America and American citizens must be met with a swift and sure response. Perhaps we have something to learn from the Israelis. They have been dealing with these kinds of threats for a long time.
What do you think?
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