As the events continue to unfold
in Iraq, a full scale sectarian conflict between the Sunnis and the Shiites
looks imminent. No surprise that Obama will not commit ground troops, and why
should he. The US interest will be
served by funding both sides behind the scenes, whilst politically it will appear
to oppose ISIS and play out the role of a peacemaker, and nominal air strikes
driven by political expediency will not change the underlying policy.
The flags, the banners, and the
message of ISIS clearly convey they want to impose Sharia laws, and bring about
the Caliphate, like it or not. It has sent out alarm bells, the Caliphate will
pose a challenge to western hegemony in the region, and the existing regimes
will feel the heat and it may destabilise the entire region. This is an
overreaction and largely contributed by the self-created Islamophobic climate
in the west.
