ISIS in Iraq

Americans’ lives are busy. Of all the things racing through the minds of the everyday citizen, politics—particularly international affairs—ranks low on the priority list.

Besides, isn’t there always some disease breaking out in Asia or Africa? Pretty sure Eastern Europe has always been a bit rocky. Oh yeah, and there are always wars going on in the Middle East.

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As long as the grande cafe lattes continue to flow at Starbucks and there are no Hitler-esque figures coming into power, why bother reading international news?

If you answered yes to any of the above (albeit guiltily), then this column is for you. My name is Rebekah Nash. I am from Louisiana and am currently persuing a double MA in Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages and Applied Linguistics. I received my undergraduate degree in political science from Concordia University in Montreal and also studied at the Sciences Politique in Aix-en-Provence, France. I have been fortunate to travel in more than 15 countries across four continents. When I see the troubles of people thousands of miles away it is the same as seeing a fellow American suffer. Governments can help alleviate this suffering. This is why politics is my passion.

I understand not everyone is a political news-junkie. Everyone has different passions in life. But it is still important to understand the basics.

We’re all tired of the CNN and Fox news hype. So, I will attempt to break down the more important issues to keep you up to date, and most importantly, explain why these issues should matter to you.

Eleven years have passed since the U.S. began fighting terrorism in Iraq. Yet today, the situation is arguably more dire and calls for U.S. attention and action. ISIS, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria also referred to as ISIL and IS, has arisen to not only control the second largest city in Iraq, Mosul, but sizable areas of western Iraq and parts of neighboring Syria with the goal of forming its own Islamist state.

Initially, the alarming nature of the situation stemmed from ISIS’s ability to take over such a large area of land at such a quick pace. Yet ISIS has continued to garner international attention.

After looting large banks and significant financial support from sympathetic foreign donors, ISIS has an estimated net worth of $2 billion, according to intelligence gathered from Iraqi forces.

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While ISIS originates from Al Qaeda, it is joined by members of the former Ba’ath political party, Islamic front, Sons of Iraq and various other Sunni groups that have been marginalized by the Shiite-led government in Baghdad since 2003. Men in these organizations are experienced, hardened fighters, who use brute force within the land they control.

Aside from the appalling slaughter of Iraq’s religious minorities, women and children and the beheading of two U.S journalists, the group has been surprisingly adept in its use of media to attract others outside Iraq and Syria to its cause.

By sending out videos showing its exploits across social media, ISIS communicates swiftly and directly to potential recruits in a variety of languages. The most recent concern has been that there are Americans who have joined ISIS and have had easy access crossing back and forth between the U.S., Syria, and Iraq.

Authorities estimate ISIS to be made up of only 6,000 to 50,000 fighters. Thus the terrorist group has gained and affected very much very quickly.

On Sept. 5, Barack Obama announced a framework for addressing the current situation. His plan consists of continued airstrikes to support Iraqi and Kurdish troops on the ground, increased support for moderate groups fighting ISIS in Syria and gathering support from regional governments.

Obama has additionally called upon European allies to join in a “coalition of the willing”. However, he has stopped short of calling for troops on the ground.

Thomas Friedman of the New York Times has argued for a cautious, carefully planned approach to combating ISIS. Citing the Bush administration’s “Fire, Aim, Ready” approach after 9/11, Friedman argues that unsuccessful past experiences show a need to act cautiously and form a strong coalition before taking action.

Few would disagree with Mr. Friedman’s argument. Others might add that we should not be the ones to take on this role of international policing.

Yet the necessity to act now is building rapidly.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said ISIS will continue to gain ground and spiral out of control if left unchecked. At the very least, commentators on both sides should agree that ISIS will not disappear on its own.

People are being killed — innocent Americans and Iraqis.

But why should America be the one to step in? Because ISIS hates the U.S. —specifically.

When asked why the U.S. should be the ones involved, Ahmed Alasadi, a doctoral student in Physics at SIUC, answered, “They hate America, these groups. It’s not a danger just to us. So what to wait for? Are you gonna wait till they come attack inside Washington and New York?”

ISIS has declared that they “know no borders” and have the ability to get U.S. agents into the U.S. without batting an eye.

A careful, well-thought-out plan is needed; A plan that takes into consideration past mistakes, extends air strikes into Syria, and brings together a coalition. No one wants to fight this alone. But something must be done soon.

Eleven years have passed. And yes, we should still be worried about Iraq.