Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - ISIS militants attack and take over Iraqi northern city of Mosul

AltaGuy · 07-29-2014, 11:33 AM

This is one of those situations that has the majority of the international community absolutely baffled, and stems in large part from another situation that had the international community largely baffled in Syria.

ISIS is completely insane (and horrible). But the grievances of the Sunni community in Iraq and in Syria are not. Saudi Arabia supports the Sunnis, and to a lesser degree ISIS itself.

The historical grievances of Shia in Iraq are certainly not without merit as well, but the way al-Maliki governed Iraq was completely idiotic. Like Morsi in Egypt, al-Maliki was elected fairly and then proceeded to immediately act like a despot; unlike Egypt, the military junta was not waiting in the wings for the smallest slip-up.

Democracy, rule of law, and nation-building are going to take a long, long time in the Middle East, whether in Iraq, Egypt, Palestine or elsewhere. It would also really help if democratically-elected leaders didn't become absolutely mindless once they assumed power.

07-29-2014, 11:33 AM	#192
AltaGuy AltaGuy has a magnetic personality and exudes positive energy, which is infectious to those around him. He has an unparalleled ability to communicate with people, whether he is speaking to a room of three or an arena of 30,000. Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: At le pub... Exp:	This is one of those situations that has the majority of the international community absolutely baffled, and stems in large part from another situation that had the international community largely baffled in Syria. ISIS is completely insane (and horrible). But the grievances of the Sunni community in Iraq and in Syria are not. Saudi Arabia supports the Sunnis, and to a lesser degree ISIS itself. The historical grievances of Shia in Iraq are certainly not without merit as well, but the way al-Maliki governed Iraq was completely idiotic. Like Morsi in Egypt, al-Maliki was elected fairly and then proceeded to immediately act like a despot; unlike Egypt, the military junta was not waiting in the wings for the smallest slip-up. Democracy, rule of law, and nation-building are going to take a long, long time in the Middle East, whether in Iraq, Egypt, Palestine or elsewhere. It would also really help if democratically-elected leaders didn't become absolutely mindless once they assumed power.