Posted on 08/11/2014 3:35:57 PM PDT by Olog-hai
Iraqs president snubbed incumbent Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and picked another politician Monday to form the next government, setting up a fierce political power struggle even as the country battles extremists in the north and west.
The showdown came as the United States increased its role in fighting back Sunni extremists of the Islamic State group that is threatening the autonomous Kurdish region in the north. Senior American officials said U.S. intelligence agencies are directly arming the Kurds who are battling the militants in what would be a shift in Washingtons policy of only working through the central government in Baghdad.
U.S. warplanes carried out new strikes Sunday, hitting a convoy of Sunni militants moving to attack Kurdish forces defending the autonomous zones capital, Irbil. The recent American airstrikes have helped the Kurds achieve one of their first victories after weeks of retreat as peshmerga fighters over the weekend recaptured two towns near Irbil. The Pentagons director of operations said the effort will do little to slow Islamic State militants overall.
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Fustercluck!
Bring in the BUFFS!
The Kurds are the only worthy and freedom loving people in Iraq. As I have said many times before, they’re the most Pro-American people you can meet. If anyone deserves our help in Iraq, it’s the Kurds.
Finally!!!
I want to see planes offloading tons of weapon, ammo, and food, before I believe any of this theater crap by Odumbo.
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