Absurdities, Blatant Lies, Chutzpah, Political Expediency, Odd Couples

Courtesy of Mish

The mess in Iraq is complicated by absurdities, political expediency, blatant lies, and self-serving accusations. 

Everyone involved attempts to absolve themselves of guilt. Some high-profile politicians even changed their minds as a matter of political expediency.

Absurd and Conflicting Realities

1. The US wants to overthrow Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
2. US ally, Saudi Arabia, also wants to overthrow the Syrian president.
3. The rebels fighting Assad are primarily Al Qaeda and Isis. Thus the US is in alignment with Al Qaeda and Isis.
4. The US and Iran want Isis out of Iraq.
5. The US refuses help from Iran out of fear of making Iran and Iraq allies.
6. Iran supports Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
7. Saudi Arabia is ruled by Sunnis.
8. Isis consists primarily of extreme Sunnis.
9. Iran is ruled by Shias.
10. The US overthrew Saddam Hussein, a secular ruler whose party was dominated by Sunnis.
11. The US helped install Nouri al-Maliki, who is a Shia, even though the US is at severe odds with Iran.
12. Maliki is politically aligned with Iran.
13. Under Maliki's regime, extreme Sunnis got fed up with political oppression, giving rise to Isis. 
14. Maliki accuses Saudi Arabia of sponsoring Isis and genocide.
15. According to The Guardian, Lina Khatib of the Carnegie Foundation says "There is Saudi money flowing into Isis but it is not from the Saudi state. Maliki is trying to shift blame from himself and is echoing Iranian propaganda.". 

It is impossible to untangle that mess.

Moreover, arms given to Syrian rebels eventually make their way into the hands of Isis and Iraq.

Nonetheless, many Republicans and some democrats accused Obama of not providing enough assistance to Syrian rebels, most of which are Al Qaeda or Isis connected.

Shia Sunni Divide

A PEW research report discusses the Sunni-Shia Divide

Their shared demographic makeup may help explain Iran’s support for Iraq’s Shia-dominated government led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Iran also has supported Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria, where only 15-20% of the Muslim population was Shia as of 2009. But the Syrian leadership is dominated by Alawites (an offshoot of Shia Islam). Under Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq, which was dominated by Sunnis, the country clashed with Iran.
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