The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant Megathread

[Tonitrus]

Looks like a few more terrorist states.

[Viking]

Looks like a few more terrorist states.

and?

[Tonitrus]

It's probably easier for U.S. foreign policy if we consolidated the terrorist states? 

[Viking]

It's probably easier for U.S. foreign policy if we consolidated the terrorist states? 

Well the terrorists consolidate all the jews in one place, how's that working out for them?

[mongers]

More bombing please.

[jimmy olsen]

Jalawla has fallen

http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL6N0QH1I920140811

[Grey Fox]

Time for



??

Why would the Saudis lose any territory?!

[grumbler]

Time for



??

Why would the Saudis lose any territory?!

They have a significant Shia minority.

[Tamas]

Allegedly, the US has started/soon start arming up the Kurds in Iraq. About bloody time. Although Erdogan's turks fighting against US-armed Kurds in Turkey will not look well.

[KRonn]

Allegedly, the US has started/soon start arming up the Kurds in Iraq. About bloody time. Although Erdogan's turks fighting against US-armed Kurds in Turkey will not look well.

Yeah, very happy to see this change. Irbil falling would be disastrous, and for ISIS to make major inroads into Kurdistan would be a huge mess, and will have left a good US ally in the lurch. I'm hoping the arms and equipment given to the Kurds is substantial. It's clear that the Iraqi government under al-Maliki is causing more divisions as he tries to remain in power. The Kurds right now are one of the few groups able and quite willing to fight against ISIS. Hopefully once ISIS receives a couple of heavy defeats then the Iraqi army, what's left of it, can realize ISIS isn't invincible and can regain some morale and start pushing back. I guess the Iraqi air force has made some attacks in support of the Kurds so that's a small and hopeful sign.

[Sheilbh]

Maliki's fallen politically. Which is good. But looks like it'll need a coup to get rid of him.

I've heard of his successor and, from what little I know, it seems a good choice.

That's one obstacle out the way.

[mongers]

Maliki's fallen politically. Which is good. But looks like it'll need a coup to get rid of him.

I've heard of his successor and, from what little I know, it seems a good choice.

That's one obstacle out the way.

Shelf, I remember you originally being quite keen on Maliki.

Has he gone yet ie has his personal army left the streets?

What's the over/under on some bloodshed in Baghdad ?

[Berkut]

This is going to make a great competitive/co-op game someday...

[Berkut]

Does anyone know or have sources that speak to the extent of US airstrikes in Iraq?

Are we just hitting ISIS where they are attacking civilians in particular areas, or engaging in a more generalized air offensive against them, or something in between?

There doesn't seem to be a lot of information out there right now about the extent of US involvement.

What about our allies - is this a US only operation, or is the UK or any other NATO members involved at all?

[mongers]

Does anyone know or have sources that speak to the extent of US airstrikes in Iraq?

Are we just hitting ISIS where they are attacking civilians in particular areas, or engaging in a more generalized air offensive against them, or something in between?

There doesn't seem to be a lot of information out there right now about the extent of US involvement.

What about our allies - is this a US only operation, or is the UK or any other NATO members involved at all?

I think most of the strikes have been 'in support' of the Kurds, to stop any further advance on Irbil.

And they seem to be ongoing, in the sense that the Obama administration has said there's no timetable.

Personally I'd like to see a half-dozen Apache helos stationed in Kurdistan for more direct and timely air support.