When was it .... 2005 06 07 .. when Joe Biden proposed that Iraq should be three semi-autonomous regions; Shia, Sunni and Kurdish? Looks like ISIL is helping that along by consolidating a lot of territory for the Sunni peoples. People laughed at Joe Biden then but it might just come true unless Shiite officials realize they have to trust the Sunni tribes and arm them to combat ISIL.
I read Graeme Woods' Atlantic article, "What ISIS Really Wants" with great interest. After reading it my 1st thought was "what would Juan Cole say about all this". I hope you give us your appreciation soon, Dr. Cole.
The end goals are to hurt the Russian economy for its support of Assad; discourage higher cost drilling in the U.S. to reduce our competition against Saudi oil; and, hurt the Iranian economy because of their support of Assad, their Shia beliefs and the threat of Iran becoming the hegemonic power of the middle east.
Good article. Brought back memories of having read Washington Irving's "Conquest of Granada" about 65 years ago.
When was it .... 2005 06 07 .. when Joe Biden proposed that Iraq should be three semi-autonomous regions; Shia, Sunni and Kurdish? Looks like ISIL is helping that along by consolidating a lot of territory for the Sunni peoples. People laughed at Joe Biden then but it might just come true unless Shiite officials realize they have to trust the Sunni tribes and arm them to combat ISIL.
I read Graeme Woods' Atlantic article, "What ISIS Really Wants" with great interest. After reading it my 1st thought was "what would Juan Cole say about all this". I hope you give us your appreciation soon, Dr. Cole.
The end goals are to hurt the Russian economy for its support of Assad; discourage higher cost drilling in the U.S. to reduce our competition against Saudi oil; and, hurt the Iranian economy because of their support of Assad, their Shia beliefs and the threat of Iran becoming the hegemonic power of the middle east.