US Boots on the Ground?

For John, BLUF:  Given Daesh's reach, Iraq is important territory.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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A friend of mine sent along this Reuters piece, which shows how complicated things are in the Middle East.  We are trying to take down Daesh, but there is this problem.

"Iraqi politicians, militias warn [Prime Minister] Abadi against U.S. force deployment".  The Iraqi Prime Minister is Mr Haider al-Abadi.

There is a lot of that sort of sensitivity around the world.  Sort of how we would have felt if the Korean Navy had intervened to protect Korean born shop keepers during the LA Riots back in 1992.

The reporter for Reuters is Mr Ahmed Rasheed, in Baghdad.  Here is the lede:

Iraq's ruling alliance and powerful Shi'ite militias say Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi would be digging his own political grave and undermining the fight against Islamic State if he permits the deployment of a new U.S. special operations force in the country.

It is the Middle East.  I expect there is a deal to be cut.  Apparently, we aren't there yet.

In the mean time, people die, people are sold into slavery (yes, that word, slavery, except it includes selling women (and young girls) for sexual purposes) and some are tortured.  Overall a very ugly thing.  But, if they aren't YOUR people, who cares, in the Middle East.

Regards  —  Cliff