How Obama Can Show He Is Serious About Helping Iraq

In striving for a caliphate, the self-declared Islamic State has managed to provide a “common adversary for Saudis and Iranians, Turks and Kurds”; “united many of Iraq’s Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish politicians behind an inclusive new government; and “ forced a reluctant President Obama to come halfway off the bench in authorizing airstrikes for ‘limited military objectives’ in Iraq,” writes David Ignatius for the Washington Post. US power is essential to crush IS, also known as ISIS, but only Iraq and Syria can end the political divisions and chaos that spurred IS’s rampage through Syria and Iraq by establishing representative governments. Many Sunnis who resented the al-Malaki government already have regrets about supporting IS and may be more willing to work with a new Iraqi government being formed. The decision to take on a ruthless terrorist organization was not easy because IS will probably try to hunt out US targets for suicide attacks. Even Osama bin Laden, former Al Qaeda head, warned about starting a caliphate too soon, while the United States had military capability to crush its leaders and centers. – YaleGlobal