Are we failing to recognize the growing threat of militarized Shiite groups?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 20:29:08 -0500

We spend so much time focusing on ISIS, ISIL, IS. Are we failing to see the threat of the militarized Shiite groups?

"Hezbollah is a Shiite Muslim political party and militant group that the United States and European Union consider a terrorist organization. With significant support from Iran and Syria, Hezbollah maintains an extensive security apparatus, political organization, and social services network in Lebanon, where the group is often described as a "state within the state." Hezbollah's raison d'etre, resistance to Israel and Western involvement in the Middle East, has made it an effective proxy for Iranian foreign policy while earning the group some support from beyond its Shiite base. But as it has become increasingly embroiled in the Syrian civil war, where its fighters have fought for the Assad regime, it has alienated some of its Lebanese constituents and reportedly prompted deadly reprisals in Beirut from partisans of the predominantly Sunni Muslim Syrian rebels. The U.S. government and its European allies consider Hezbollah a global terrorist threat and a menace to Mideast stability."

http://abcnews.go.com/International/hezbollah-al-qaeda-fighters-edging-closer-confrontation/story?id=19144119

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Dec 11 at 2015 8:49 PM

MAJ Jim Woods — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 20:49:31 -0500

Ahhhh Crap..... you mean the "contained" issue is not true? LOL

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2015 9:13 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 21:13:04 -0500

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/06/10/Hezbollah-announces-battle-with-ISIS-on-Syria-Lebanon-border-.html

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2015 12:22 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 00:22:35 -0500

I think we do...and then the next administration is going to blame the last one's intelligence failure. We are playing geopolitical chess game with rising powers for dominance and resources. Therefore, anyone else is just a peon that needs to be brought in line (sarcasm). As a result we stick our fingers in every hole we can find and then scream when something bites.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 12 at 2015 2:10 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 02:10:39 -0500

Hezbollah I guess at this point is Ancient History from my time, Shia Extremist. The new in Clique is Daesh/ISIS/ISIL Sunni Whack Jobs. Never fond of Religious Fanatics of any faith.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2015 1:23 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 13:23:39 -0500

Today, they are allies of convenience.
ISIS, Al Queda, Shia, and more moderate national interests are locked on a mortal struggle for dominance of the world of Islam.
From what I can tell, our leaders have judged that the hierarchy of enemy/frenemy/ potential allies/ friends looks like:
ISIS - Bad
Al Queda - less bad and disrupted; may be convenient to leave alone if they engage ISIS in Syria
Shia - potential ally against Sunni extremists
Moderate nations (ie Jordan, Egypt, etc) - reordering of who and how we support them; very uncomfortable with our attempts at rapproachment with Iran and its proxies.

I would argue that are overall best interest is in stability, not necessarily choosing winners and losers. Every nation in the region has interests that diverge from ours, except as it regards to economic transactions and desiring stability. At issue is that Iran is actively attempting to Destabilize Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, and fueling Assad in Syria and anti-Israeli organizations in Gaza and Lebanon. Notice that Gaza has been really quiet since Iran got focused in Iraq and Syria. This is not coincidental.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 12 at 2015 2:04 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 14:04:42 -0500

The ME is comprised of a thousand years of hate, and they are powerless to stop it. Last I knew, the Iraqis were reticent about arming Sunni Militias who disliked ISIS for the fear of ISIS getting weapons. The Iraqis were reluctant to arm Shia Militias because of atrocities against the Sunnis.