Shiite militias, once a foe, may now get U.S. support. Are we embracing a necessary evil? To what end?

2015-05-20T17:32:41-04:00

Just a couple of months ago, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East said Iraq's Shiite militias have American blood on their hands and he hoped the U.S. strategy to defeat the Islamic State extremists would not involve an alliance with those groups.

But after the demoralizing fall of the city of Ramadi to Islamic State forces a few days ago, the U.S. faces a hard choice: Agree to possibly provide airstrikes in support of the Shiite militias that are preparing a counteroffensive or risk allowing the Islamic State to consolidate control over the strategically important city.

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/05/20/shiite-militias-us-support-iraq-ramadi-islamic-state/27651319/

Shiite militias, once a foe, may now get U.S. support

Just a couple of months ago, the top U.S. military general in the Middle East said Iraq's Shiite militias have American blood on their hands and he

Response by SGT Orazio Castellana made May 20 at 2015 5:45 PM

2015-05-20T17:45:54-04:00

Unfortunately yes.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made May 20 at 2015 5:50 PM

2015-05-20T17:50:11-04:00

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." Sometimes we have to make deals with the devil to get the job done, but this thinking creates different problems down the road. The Russians in WWII were allied to the Nazis before we became involved (with troops, not just equipment). Once Hitler got what he needed from them, he turned against them. So much for the enemy of my enemy is my friend. After the war, our "friends" really appreciated the extra breathing room and new found resources. Walls started going up, and the ramifications are still being felt to this day. There are Japanese people in islands above Hokkaido (territory governed by the commies after VJ day) that can't understand their own language, they speak Russian to this day. Hindsight, right? Be careful to whom you place your allegiences, otherwise today's friend is tomorrow's foe.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made May 20 at 2015 5:59 PM

2015-05-20T17:59:59-04:00

Oh yay! An enormously complicated catch-22 that will eventually bite us in the ass. This is one of those situations where we're just going to hop into bed with the next problem to deal with what's immediately in front of us. I really don't recommend it. I've heard reports that the militias aren't much better than ISIS in the Sunni areas.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 8:52 PM

2015-05-20T20:52:42-04:00

The pendulum swings in a predictable pattern.....this is just a repeat of items in the past.....give it six months and will be hunting them again.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 4:49 AM

2015-05-21T04:49:29-04:00

This should be no surprise to anyone, we have been doing it for years. We (the U.S.) are responsible for the Shia uprising in Iraq to try and oust Saddam Hussein and then left them to be put brutally down. We took the entire Mahdi Militia and made them Iraqi National Police to bring Sadr to the political table. We have always "supported" the Shia population just as much as the Sunni's.

It is still clearly evident that we play both sides...we support Saudi Arabia in the offensive against the Shia militia in Yemen while we also support the Shia Militia/Iran in Iraq against ISIS (Sunni) (which is supported by the Saudis). No wonder both sides want to kill us.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 7:25 AM

2015-05-23T07:25:23-04:00

What I don't get is why we keep siding with people that a) don't really like us and, b) have no chance at winning the war, as opposed to battles.

Personally I think that IF we're going to pick a side, we should fully commit to that side, and that group should be the Kurds. Kurds, a) generally like us or at least don't view us negatively, b) are competent at governing themselves, c) are competent at fighting ISIS and waging war in general, d) aren't bat-s*** crazy. Unfortunately problems with this arise because Turkey doesn't like the Kurds and Turkey's a NATO member...among other Turkish factors...and I'll admit I don't really know how to resolve that problem.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 23 at 2015 9:04 PM

2015-05-23T21:04:56-04:00

We need a lot of grunt types as we are finding the Iraqi Army has the constitution of poodles.

Response by SGT Lawrence Corser made May 23 at 2015 10:44 PM

2015-05-23T22:44:20-04:00

we as a country will get into bed with what ever evil we deem the least evil at any particular time.

Response by SPC Alejandro Martinez made May 25 at 2015 2:35 PM

2015-05-25T14:35:10-04:00

The enemy of my enemy type deal going on here, I guess.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 25 at 2015 9:45 PM

2015-05-25T21:45:29-04:00

If the Shias and Iraqi Army can not channel their passion for a free Iraq, then they are doomed for failure, unless we get a coalition of countries.