A Necessary Mea Culpa

Authoritarianism, sectarianism, corruption, cronyism, lack of interest in developing our societies, beyond the introduction of certain consumerist façades, these things existed long before the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The U.S. invasion of Iraq merely removed a lid on all this. I am not saying no major fuckups were made during the invasion and ensuing occupation, for there were plenty. Still, the idea that we were better off somehow before is a lie we tell ourselves, and others, so that we can continue shirking responsibility for who we are and what we are doing to each other.

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On the path to mayhem!

With some of the same idiots who urged restraint in Syria now urging strikes against in Iraq on behalf of Maliki and Iran, against a Sunni insurgency that is far from being dominated by ISIS, as all and sundry is willing to argue, it is important for some of the remaining rational voices out there to push for the adoption of a clear policy objective and a clear endgame vis-à-vis current developments in Syria and Iraq, and throughout the region. Inaction premised on fear of potential consequences that soon become self-fulfilling prophecies on account of said inaction, drone attacks and air strikes without political follow through, and kneejerk reactions continue to be the main ingredients for disaster. The U.S. cannot afford any more of this. The peoples of the region cannot afford any more of this.

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Few thoughts on ISIS, Iran, and the Unites States

Scene from the Geneva talks over Iran's nuclear program. — Scene from the Geneva talks over Iran’s nuclear program.

ISIS is working towards the fulfillment of her own goals and visions in both Iraq and Syria, irrespective of what other forces on the ground want. For this, its leaders are willing to enter into all different sorts of transitional alliances. In Iraq, they are now clearly coordinating with other Sunni forces and groups in the offensive to wrest control of the western parts where Sunni Arabs make up the majority.

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ISIS the Bizarre

Abu Waheeb, an ISIS commander in Ramadi.

The Islamic State of Iraq and Sham is a sophisticated organization and has its own vision that she is pursuing in the Levant. But the current situation in the region is quite fluid and complex, and this creates ample opportunities for all different sorts of bizarre transitional alliances, no matter how they are negotiated, to emerge, and for strange spats of coordination, even with an avowed enemy, to take place, albeit on a provisional basis.

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