07-01-2014, 06:05 PM
THINGS GET MESSIER IN THE MIDDLE EAST -- WHAT'S UP TODAY
![[Image: map_of_middle-east.jpg]](http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/middle-east/map_of_middle-east.jpg)
Lots going on as ISIS continues its effort to erase borders and create a united Islamic Sharia emirate across Iraq and Syria.
IRAQ
The Iraqi Kurds and the Iraqi Sunnis want PM Maliki and his all-Shiite government ousted and President Obama is pushing for a new more inclusive government to be in place by the end of the week. That's tough to do prudently in such a short time, IMO, but that's the push.
US
Obama has made an official statement that it's up to the Iraqis if they want to keep Maliki involved in the country's leadership, but I think it's clear that the US wants him gone.
The US has now sent 775 American troops to Iraq. Most of them will focus on securing the embassy and other American interests. About 200 of them will train Iraqi forces and assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Iraqi forces and the ISIS fighters. To say that we don't have "boots on the ground" is just playing with semantics at this point, IMO.
ISRAEL
Israel air struck several military bases in Syria last week in retaliation for the killing of an Israeli teen in the Golan Heights border between the countries. It's unclear whether the boy was killed as a result of Syrian forces or their rival ISIS rebels, but Netanyahu sees them as equally evil entities and holds Assad responsible either way.
Israel has also publicly promised to strike back at Hamas, whom Netanyahu considers responsible for the kidnapping and murder of three teens who went missing week before last; Hamas denies responsibility. The Palestinian government is in talks with Hamas leaders for closer ties, so the tensions are rising between Israel and Palestine, again.
SYRIA
Syria air struck several sites in Iraq last week, reportedly to weaken ISIS and in support of PM Maliki and the Iraqi forces.
ANTI-ISIS SUPPORT
Iran and Russia are providing military equipment and support to Maliki and the Iraqi forces in their fight against ISIS Sunni insurgents. The US has agreed to provide more support to Iraq once a new government is formally established.
Lots going on as ISIS continues its effort to erase borders and create a united Islamic Sharia emirate across Iraq and Syria.
IRAQ
The Iraqi Kurds and the Iraqi Sunnis want PM Maliki and his all-Shiite government ousted and President Obama is pushing for a new more inclusive government to be in place by the end of the week. That's tough to do prudently in such a short time, IMO, but that's the push.
US
Obama has made an official statement that it's up to the Iraqis if they want to keep Maliki involved in the country's leadership, but I think it's clear that the US wants him gone.
The US has now sent 775 American troops to Iraq. Most of them will focus on securing the embassy and other American interests. About 200 of them will train Iraqi forces and assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Iraqi forces and the ISIS fighters. To say that we don't have "boots on the ground" is just playing with semantics at this point, IMO.
ISRAEL
Israel air struck several military bases in Syria last week in retaliation for the killing of an Israeli teen in the Golan Heights border between the countries. It's unclear whether the boy was killed as a result of Syrian forces or their rival ISIS rebels, but Netanyahu sees them as equally evil entities and holds Assad responsible either way.
Israel has also publicly promised to strike back at Hamas, whom Netanyahu considers responsible for the kidnapping and murder of three teens who went missing week before last; Hamas denies responsibility. The Palestinian government is in talks with Hamas leaders for closer ties, so the tensions are rising between Israel and Palestine, again.
SYRIA
Syria air struck several sites in Iraq last week, reportedly to weaken ISIS and in support of PM Maliki and the Iraqi forces.
ANTI-ISIS SUPPORT
Iran and Russia are providing military equipment and support to Maliki and the Iraqi forces in their fight against ISIS Sunni insurgents. The US has agreed to provide more support to Iraq once a new government is formally established.