The fact that the leadership of ISIS is Iraqi Baathist—vs. Syrian Baathist in Syria, is amazing. It means far from a conflict of religious Muslims vs. (more) secular Arab nationalists...in Syria this is really just a raw power game between birds of a feather.
That Mr. Obama dithered and allowed ISIS to form—or really the Baathists to re-form (and surely our gov knows ISIS is Saddam’s old regime)...is even more inditing of his utter incompetence.
And certainly helps explain why the new Iraqi army guys are so quick to cut and run when the ‘hood lights up. But It’s still muzzie-on-muzzie violins so I’m not seeing the downside. No matter who winds up on top when they are down to six or seven muzzies it will still fall to us to clean up the mess. With any luck at all the Fertile Crescent will still be habitable after they get thru.
The Baathists in Iraq became more infused with Islamicism from the late 90s when it seemed like that was the only way to stay in power. This was a consequence of Gulf war one