Kerry Assures Iraqis Of U.S. Support If They Unite Against Militants -- CNN
Baghdad, Iraq (CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met Iraqi leaders Monday as radical Sunni militants continue their march toward Baghdad during the country's tensest time since the U.S. withdrawal of troops in 2011.
"The future of Iraq depends on decisions made in the next few days and weeks," Kerry said after meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, the man who some observers say needs to step down.
Al-Maliki has agreed to a July 1 deadline to form a new government, a requirement for U.S. assistance in fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, Kerry said.
"Our support will be intense, sustained," and will be effective if Iraqi leaders unite to face the militant threat, he said.
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More News On U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry Visit To Iraq
Iraq crisis: Kerry vows 'sustained' US support for Iraqi forces - live updates -- The Guardian
Iraq crisis: Kerry vows 'intense support' to counter Isis -- The BBC
Kerry Presses for Power-Sharing in Baghdad as Militants Make Gains -- Time
John Kerry urges Iraq's leaders to stand united in face of Islamist insurgency -- The Guardian
Kerry Pledges 'Intense' US Support for Iraq Against Militants -- VOA
Kerry meets with embattled Iraqi leader in Baghdad as insurgents press offensive -- Washington Post
Kerry in Baghdad: 'Moment of decision' for Iraq -- USA Today
John Kerry Meets Al-Maliki Amid Surge by ISIS Militants in Iraq -- NBC
US promises Iraq 'intense' support in combat -- Al Jazeera
Kerry arrives in Iraq amid threat of widening sectarian war -- FOX News
My Comment: The White House via through US Secretary of State John Kerry is looking for a political solution when the crisis right now is a military one. The Iraqi Army has been defeated on the battlefield in the Sunni regions .... and it is now on the verge of being defeated on the national level. If you want Iraq to survive as a unified country .... the people that you should be sending to Baghdad right now must include top US Generals and intelligence officials .... not diplomats. Then again .... one has to wonder if this is what the White House wants .... show that you are engaged and wanting to do something about the crisis in Iraq .... but in actual fact doing very little (or minimal) on the ground.
2 comments:
WNU Editor: I agree with your comment. I think the U.S. Administration is saying:
1. The U.S. will not send United States forces to hold Iraq together. Period.
2. The U.S. will offer diplomatic support to encourage Iraq to reshape its Government (i.e. drop Maliki).
There are at least two problems for the Administration:
A. ISIS and the other Sunni rebels will fight against any Iraqi Government, no matter who heads it. To resist ISIS requires military action, as you said. Unlike the U.S., Iran will provide military support to prevent Maliki's Government from overthrow by the ISIS.
B. Maliki won't leave office, no matter what the United States says or does. Iran will keep Maliki in office. If a majority in the new Iraqi Parliament seems to be preparing to vote Maliki out, I expect Maliki to dissolve it, or otherwise prevent it from meeting by declaring an emergency, or change its composition by expelling the Kurdish delegates, etc. When the dust settles, Maliki will remain in office.
The Administration may realize how weak its position is and is sending Kerry for show. Alternatively, the Administration may actually think it can still control events in Iraq and is operating within its delusion. I am not sure which is correct.
For now, ISIS and its Sunni allies, and their backers in the region, and Maliki, the Iraqi Shiites, and their Iranian backers, have decided to see if this can be settled by force. Therefore, for the moment diplomacy will fail.
"Alternatively, the Administration may actually think it can still control events in Iraq and is operating within its delusion." I think this is correct. But, it may be beginning to dawn on them that they are the saps at the table.
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