[marron]

If the Islamic State, as Ankara's inaction testifies, is not viewed as a threat to Turkey's vital interests, how can it be a threat to ours?

Because Ankara is backing them.

[marron]

There are reports that the Saudis and the Gulf Arabs would be more willing to participate in a war on ISIS if we would first effect the ouster of Bashar Assad.

No doubt.

ISIS was created for the express purpose of overthrowing Assad and closing Iran's window to the Mediterranean. And perhaps secondarily creating a physical wedge between Iran and Syria. They are doing what they were created to do.

The fact that their head-chopping creates a PR problem for Obama isn't their problem. Their primary problem is just making sure ISIS doesn't spill over the line into Saudi Arabia (which if you are Qatar is probably also not much of a concern).

[Brad from Tennessee]

Though Iran wants ISIS eliminated they don't want a large U.S. military force back in Iraq. Neither do they want the Kurds equipped with anything more potent than rifles. They also oppose any serious program to develop a fighting force of Syrian rebels or any other U.S. moves against the Assad regime. This is why I believe Obama’s request for a war authorization, his animosity toward Israel, and other curious moves are largely influenced by Tehran. I believe Obama struck a secret deal with Iran before he even took office in 2009.

[Theoria]

'Everyone in the Middle East, it appears, wants the United States to fight their wars for them.'

But of course.

The militaries of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan and such isn't as much as to defend their countries from outside aggression, but to keep the commons at bay and to keep the Kings in control.

[Logical me]

Something smell like shi! here. Something is wrong but I can't see it yet. King Obama is a huge screw up and no matter what he does he will screw it up.

[elhombrelibre]

Pat would have opposed the original Crusades too. He’s consistently not for hurting our enemies or going after them where they live.

[Finalapproach29er]

Sunnis are begging the USA for weapon,s but the Kenyan warlord has sided with Shiite-(Iran).Incredible foolishness by the Administer-in-cheif.

[Maudeen]

http://www.ltw.org/en/web/guest/watch?p_auth=tupdi3YZ&p_p_id=mediaAreaTabs_WAR_LTWWeb_INSTANCE_X7r10dvKIGnB&p_p_lifecycle=1&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&_mediaAreaTabs_WAR_LTWWeb_INSTANCE_X7r10dvKIGnB_episodeId=1980&_mediaAreaTabs_WAR_LTWWeb_INSTANCE_X7r10dvKIGnB_javax.portlet.action=playEpisode

Good info.

[rightwingcrazy]

"has cooled the arbor"

?

[pluvmantelo]

Pat’s thesis founders on the fact that the Iraqi forces are primarily Shia. Yet he excoriates them for their feckless behavior.

[sargon]

But about whether ISIS is an "existential threat" to us, or if this war is really our war, there is no agreement.

Daesh (ISIS) is just like the Nazis. If this war is not our war at the moment, it certainly will be eventually.

Are we supposed to wait until these animals are in control of huge swaths of territory and the state apparatuses of multiple nations?

F--k that shit; let's go ahead and deal with Daesh ASAP, and with extreme prejudice...

[MarMema]

"The Associated Press reported Tuesday that U.S. intelligence officials now say foreign fighters are joining Islamic State 'in unprecedented numbers,' including 3,400 from western nations out of 20,000 from around the world."

Chechens were the first to get in line. Anyway this is just another target rich environment. May as well take out the newbies with the trash.