Posted on 06/18/2014 2:22:06 AM PDT by Renfield
Regardless of whether the Iraqi government in Baghdad rolls back the recent military advances by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), the central authority has suffered a mortal blow.
ISIS's takeover of most of the so-called Sunni Triangle, as well as Mosul, the second largest city with almost two million people, hammers a deadly nail in the coffin of the post-Saddam Hussein nation-building project.
Fragile Iraqi institutions now lie in tatters.
It is doubtful if Baghdad could ever establish a monopoly on the use of force in the country, or exercise authority and centralised control over rebellious Sunni Arabs and semi-independent Kurdistan....
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
Rubbish.
There was only one real Iraqi, and his name was Saddam Hussein. He’s gone.
“Iraq” is an illusion. It’s time to move on.
And what of the 50 years before him? It was a weak republic with semi-autonomous Sunni, Shia and Kurdish populations. And it will be again.
“And what of the 50 years before him? It was a weak republic with semi-autonomous Sunni, Shia and Kurdish populations. And it will be again.”
It won’t even be that. The Kurds are now fully independent and unless someone wants to invade them, they will stay that way. Not as sure with the Sunni/Shia division, but the Iranians will likely establish a beachhead with the Shiites and prevent anything more than a token alliance with the Sunnis, if that.
Thanks for the map.
Thanks for the map.
That makes sense to you and to me, but there is too much money to be made by sending US Forces back for the politicians and the wealthy to ignore.
Listen to the beaters of the war drums and then check their finances.
Once upon a time the US was a Republic, a Government of the People, for the People and by the People, but now;
The government of the US has become the government of the rich and powerful, for the rich and powerful and by those, in congress, the administration, the courts, the police and the press, who serve the rich and powerful.
Good map, thanks.
All this is a lesson to other countries. If you are not united and cohesive... you are vulnerable and weak. Your enemies will take advantage of this and you will become THEIR subjects!
Maliki blew it. He not only permitted but actively engaged in pro-Shia corruption of his government and institutions.
Most damaging was his firing of the US-trained Iraqi military generals and replacing them with crony appointments and bribe-for-rank officers. These are the officers who fled in the face of ISIS leaving the Iraqi soldiers without and C&C when they came under attack.
These people (and I mean ALL the ME population) have no sense of honor and allegiance, as it is understood in civilized western powers.
It’s the reason they have never been and I think, never will be united, even for their OWN good!
It’s the reason that pathologically religious fanatics, brutality, squalor, ignorance and violence can thrive there.
You get past caring about them... seriously. I hate to say that... but how are we supposed to care about them or respect them if THEY cannot respect or care for one another?
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