The summer of 2014 has been a hot summer, but we’re not talking temperature; we’re talking hot spots in the global conflict theater and America’s foreign policy.
ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) has expanded from Syria into Iraq with the goal to form an Islamic State across that region. ISIS has robbed banks, captured former U.S. military assets and equipment, and advanced across the region using U.S. military equipment while murdering, crucifying, and beheading innocent people. ISIS has imposed a “jizya” tax or death policy on Iraqi Christians, Assyrians and Chaldeans, who have lived in the region for centuries before the emergence of Islam and Mohammed. The thousands of residents have fled for their lives into mountains in northern Iraq. This week they are at risk of starving and death by dehydration. Their homes were marked by ISIS with a red symbol that warned the residents of Mosul to pay the al-Jizya tax that non-Muslims pay to live under their rule, or face death. The United States has responded with air strikes on ISIS targets in Iraq.
Since the end of February 2014, demonstrations by pro-Russian, ultranationalist, and anti-government groups have occurred in major cities across the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine.
Nearly 4 million people in the region near the Ukraine – Russia border are affected by the violence with shortages of power and water. Over 1300 have been killed in the conflict.
Today we have annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation, and the massing of Russian troops near Ukraine’s borders. Tensions are rising between the United States with bans on agricultural products on both sides. The Cold War is back.
#1 COCKY – PRIDE COMES BEFORE A FALL …
Obama: ‘al Qaeda’s on the path to defeat’ at 2012 campaign rally.
#2 UNDER-ESTIMATING THE ENEMY …
President Barack Obama classifies new al-Qaeda groups as “JV” — Junior Varsity.
#3 LACKING FULL PERIPHERAL VISION …
Obama to Romney: Cold War is Over – Third Presidential Debate – Elections 2012.
#4 MAKING EMPTY THREATS …
The US President warns Bashar al-Assad that the use of chemical or biological weapons in Syria is a “red line” that should not be crossed.
#5 BLURRING JIHADISTS W/ REGULAR FOLKS …
President Obama answers questions on CIA Spying and Torture Tactics and says, “We tortured some folks.”
CNN: IS ISIS STILL A ‘JV’ TEAM? …
Jake Tapper asks Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken about President Obama’s comments calling ISIS a “JV team.”
ISIS: “FLAG OF ALLAH IN THE WHITE HOUSE …
The US has carried out new airstrikes on jihadist militants that have managed to occupy territories in northwestern Iraq. But as RT’s Egor Piskunov reports, many believe it’s Washington that’s paved the way for the rise of jihadists in Iraq — whose ultimate goal is to raise the flag of Allah in the White House.
CNN: DID MEDIA MISS ISIS RISE? …
NYT Beirut Bureau Chief Anne Barnard on the realities of reporting on the ground in the Mideast.
IT IS WHAT IT IS …
Exodus. Yazidis flee the mountain where they were trapped by ISIS for a week. Many credit US strikes. pic.twitter.com/9wQzvS6ad1
— Liz Sly (@LizSly) August 10, 2014
WASHINGTON POST BUREAU CHIEF …
I don't think there is anyone in the Middle East right now who is not a) scared to death b) massively confused and c) utterly depressed
— Liz Sly (@LizSly) August 6, 2014
Liz Sly is Washington Post Beirut bureau chief covering Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and beyond.
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