theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2014/jun/23/iraq-crisis-isis-take-more-border-towns-live-updatesCode:The seeming ease with which the Obama administration is accepting less-than-codified Iraqi legal assurances is fueling questions about how hard it pushed diplomatically in 2011 to secure those protections for a residual force.
Is the answer to break up Iraq into a federation of three states:Iraq is not capable of stopping the Sunni aligned with Isis and they want Maliki out, and frankly I think he ought to go. Perhaps thats what the hold up is.
How Sunni is Eastern Lebanon?there is some speculation that the group may now have moved into Lebanon after 2 suicide bombing attacks on army checkpoints.
Seemed like a plausible solution right along. Iran turned into a mess already, not that anyone expected much with that.Is the answer to break up Iraq into a federation of three states:
Shiite (predominantly)
Sunni (predominantly)
Kurd (predominantly)
where minority rights would be respected in each of the three states making up Iraq?
He was able to go to bed when our Embassy was under attack and former navy seals still in harms way-I doubt if a few thousand dead Iraqis is going to ruin his vacationWell I don’t know how Obama will be able to enjoy his summer vacation with all of these messes right now - Iraq, Syria, IRS, immigration, VA, and Bergdahl. Wonder if he has a trip planned in July to escape the heat with these messes. He is not going to be a happy camper if he has to stay in the White House everyday and face the problems.
The temperatures in Iraq must be high this time of year.
Anyone predict how this will end and when?
Thanks6 of the 19 members of parliament for Beirut are Sunni. Tripoli is becoming a hotbed of Sunni extremism, and Saida (Sidon) is Sunni majority. So there are more than a few Sunnis in Eastern Lebanon.
Kurdistan is pretty much a given at this pointIs the answer to break up Iraq into a federation of three states:
Shiite (predominantly)
Sunni (predominantly)
Kurd (predominantly)
where minority rights would be respected in each of the three states making up Iraq?
It is a real possibility. Massoud Barzani, who is president of the Kurdistan region region, had some interesting things to say to Kerry today.Kurdistan is pretty much a given at this point
I think he assumes ISIS will be his neighbor for awhile and Iraq will be that country further south.It is a real possibility. Massoud Barzani, who is president of the Kurdistan region region, had some interesting things to say to Kerry today.
This is from an AP news article:
**Kurdish leader warns US that Sunni insurgent advances have created a ‘new reality’ in Iraq
**
Barzani’s support will be crucial for resolving the political impasse because Kurds represent about 20 percent of Iraq’s population and usually vote as a unified bloc.
Barzani told Kerry that Kurds are seeking “a solution for the crisis that we have witnessed.” But, he said, “we are facing a new reality and a new Iraq.”
Barzani did not explain what he meant by a “new Iraq,” but he was apparently referring to the fall under Kurdish control of Kirkuk and other areas in northern Iraq that Kurds have long sought to incorporate into their self-rule region. Other Kurdish officials have even raised the possibility of pressing for independence, although that is opposed by the U.S. and neighboring Turkey.
usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2014/06/24/kerry-back-in-iraq-meeting-with-kurdish-leader
If you mean by caliphate, a state of all the Sunni Muslims ruled by an elected leader; then no. I don’t think we will see it in our lifetimes. If you mean a state of fanatics who proclaim themselves a caliphate, then that is much more likely.Gilliam do you believe we will see a new caliphate?
Ok. Thanks for distinguishing.If you mean by caliphate, a state of all the Sunni Muslims ruled by an elected leader; then no. I don’t think we will see it in our lifetimes. If you mean a state of fanatics who proclaim themselves a caliphate, then that is much more likely.