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The article is a wrapper for a more informed piece by Kenneth Brower, whose bottom line is that if we have a strategy in that part of the Middle East, he can't see it. Frankly, neither can I, but the upshot is a repudiation of the Sykes-Picot plan of 1916, which, for all its naivete, at least recognized the tribal breakdown of what is now known as Iraq. What Brower is suggesting if I understand it correctly is that Iraq is irretrievably fractured along those old fault lines, and that the popularity of the grotesquely vicious ISIS movement is overlaid upon existing tribal and religious sectarianism. That makes a good deal of sense, IMHO. ISIS is rich from conquest and romantic to foreign Islamic youth who think the thing is a martial fantasy, and who are being used with as much cynicism as Zarkawi ever did to a generation before. But it is, itself, too small to accomplish what is currently being displayed before a horrified world audience.

That is to be explained through the lens of the bizarrely complicated Iraqi political fabric: we have Arab versus Persian, Shi'a versus Sunni, town versus town, clan versus clan, and absolutely none of this breaks down along a simple framework. Their best hope as a nation was to view Iraq as something greater, which was, if I understand it correctly, the view of what has been called the neocon strategy. That is "nation-building", and despite my negative predictions it very nearly succeeded.

But it was made to fail at a critical moment by the 0bama withdrawal, which made terrific domestic press but disastrous foreign results. And we're stuck with the same dilemma of a generation ago: let it be and risk the victory of some truly evil and avowedly enemy actors, or spend unconscionable amounts of money and lives attempting to shape the outcome to something less hazardous. We needn't not be here except for the fumbling and self-aggrandizing of the same administration that is now going to have to make the decision. It isn't very confidence-inspiring.

It’s interesting the way socialists approach theological concepts but when it comes to Islam they are not the only ones who refuse to approach the issue. That even includes leading Christian clergy including Pope Francis.

To only way to defeat it is by confronting, and condeming its theological assertions.

Followers of Mohammed not only claim, but truly believe that God has authorized them to kill those who refuse to submit to their version of God’s will. That is a basic tenet of that religion. A claim which goes unchallanged. While it’s understandable for atheists which most socialists are, not to approach that claim on a theological basis. Because simply eliminatimg those who believe in its execution will not end its practice. Islam must be discredited and condemed.

It’s bewildering why many Christian clergy concerned about “political correctness “ refuse to address what an insult to God it is and worse yet are unable to condem then convince and convert its advocates and adhearants they are followers of an evil creed .

The Koran which was not given to Mohammed by God but by some angel .Demanding enforcement of sharia law which draws heavily from the Torah. Became a pseudo religious concoction using monotheistic selected texts, taken and misconstrued from the old .(bible) and new testaments. Both of which cite the Almighty has granted free will to accept or obey his laws and is the final judge not man. Sodom and Gormora , “Let he who is without sin cast the stone” are outstanding examples from both books. One deals with sin and God’s decision toward a group the other to an individual, neither is left to man.

Yet followers of Mohammed under the severest of penalties are forbidden to read either which would refute that assertion in a creed which institutionalizes disgusting arab tribal views,mores, observances,and customs. Claiming adhearants are authorized by our Creator to demand submission to it or suffer an ignominious death administered by followers of Islam simply because they answer the call to prayer 5 times a day.

http://www.theusmat.com/islamandfreewill.htm