Quote:That's why there were some advising the Bush administration to not purge the Iraqi military and government of Baathists, especially those not in the top ranks, along with Saddam Hussein when we invaded Iraq. They were the backbone of the government and military. Ironically, those same Baathists are now getting squeezed by ISIS unless they pledge unequivocal allegiance to their cause.

 

The Bush administration wanted their puppet in there, and they got Maliki.  He didn't do as he had promised by having a unified government, instead pretty much freezing all but the Shiites out.  The Kurds were actually considering splitting from Iraq all together and forming their own nation, but with the whole ISIS thing (Sunnis) flaring up, it's at least got the Shiites and the Kurds sort of working together. 

 

What has happened with ISIS is scary because they're not really feeling like they're constrained by borders.  They're already active in Syria, and some reports indicate those gas attacks that were blamed on Assad may have actually been executed by ISIS in order to frame the government.  Russia has been saying all along that it wasn't Assad, and they've continued to support him.  Meanwhile, we were siding with the same bunch in Syria that is currently taking over Iraq.

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