Middle East/Levant region imploding?

2014-07-16T08:20:39-04:00

Iraqi Kurds have now decided to boycott any further cabinet meetings and are calling for PM Maliki to step down. Egypt is calling for a Israeli-Hamas cease fire. ISIS is still largely un-checked in NW Iraq/NE Syria. How much worse is it all going to get before it is over? What should the US do if anything at all? Military commitment? More "advisors"?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2014 3:51 PM

2014-07-16T15:51:47-04:00

It sounds like business as usual in that region

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2014 3:56 PM

2014-07-16T15:56:23-04:00

The irony is that this is kind of what the objective was when we went into Iraq (WMD bs aside) - but in the opposite of the intended direction. The Bush administration knew that removing Saddam would have a massively destabilizing effects in the region, but they thought it would lead to an emergence of democracy. Instead, the critics are again being proven correct. Destabilization happened, and led to massive sectarian disputes/violence.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 16 at 2014 6:40 PM

2014-07-16T18:40:17-04:00

i think the Kurds feel they're better off without the rest of the country....

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2014 9:53 PM

2014-07-16T21:53:43-04:00

I blame Paul Bremer and his cronies. If they hadn't gone against everyone else and dismantled the Iraqi military and police forces, we probably wouldn't be looking at this situation right now.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 16 at 2014 10:34 PM

2014-07-16T22:34:10-04:00

We don't have exactly a winning record in dealing with the Middle East, Our overthrow of the PM of Iran in 53 lead to our current problems there. Our Closest Ally attacked one of our ships the USS Liberty and we captured one of their Spies in our Military Intelligence Community Jonathan Pollard. No matter what we do it is a No Win Situation. Break out the Popcorn and Weenies and watch the Show. All the damn borders were written by the Brits after WWI when the Ottoman Empire sided with Germany and Austira.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made Jul 17 at 2014 12:05 AM

2014-07-17T00:05:39-04:00

Sadly, I think the failure of US foreign policy has helped construct this Frankenstein monster. Main thing is to follow the terrorists. It is easier to move about in the midst of chaos. Another thing the US needs to watch is the movement of weapons.

The biggest worry for the United States is Iraq and Syria. This is where the greatest threat of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction can materialize. Israel has already bombed suspected chemical weapons plants in Syria. How much more, and what else is being manufactured in Syria.

What else is there in Iraq that can be made functional again. If the US cannot contain what is going on now, eventually there may have to be boots on the ground.

Response by SPC Angel Guma made Dec 19 at 2014 2:47 PM

2014-12-19T14:47:26-05:00

The Elephant in the room. I really think, if the US is going to 'commit' to Iraq or any other Middle East conflict again, it should be done decisively with all the cards on the table and with legitimate buy-in, both from the american people and the Middle east. Not naming names, or pointing out specific instances, but pretty much the occupation of both Afghanistan and Iraq were boondoggles from the start for precisely the lack of genuine motivation to really be there. The utter mess many of the contractors got themselves into, among other things, is proof of that.