The State Department’s envoy to the US-led anti-ISIS coalition warned of a possible resurgence of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria due to rising “poverty and inequality.” US officials are constantly warning ISIS will make a comeback to justify the continued occupation of Iraq and Syria.
ISIS no longer holds any significant territory and is confined to the deserts of Syria and mountain hideouts in Iraq. Although the group is no threat to the US, the US-led coalition frequently carries out airstrikes and raids against ISIS targets in Iraq. In Syria, it’s mostly the Syrian government that is fighting against ISIS.
“One thing I heard consistently in both Iraq and Syria is that poverty, inequality, and perceived injustice continue to drive many young people to join terrorist groups,” US envoy John Godfrey said at a press briefing.
“The combination of a severe drought and a weak harvest that will be about half of what is normal has created a significant economic downturn that impacts the revenues of local partners and also contributes to unemployment,” he said.
One thing missing from Godfrey’s list of causes of poverty is US sanctions. While the US claims it cares about Syrian civilians, the US has imposed crippling economic sanctions on Syria that specifically target the energy and construction sectors, preventing the country from rebuilding after 10 years of war.
Besides sanctions, US intervention as a whole is responsible for the creation of ISIS. If not for the 2003 invasion of Iraq and support from the US and its allies for opposition groups and al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria, ISIS never would have formed.
Godfrey is likely praying for more drought and famine in Syria. The US shows its commitment to poverty, inequality, and injustice in Iraq and Syria every time it bombs forces that are fighting ISIS. It’s mind boggling that all the US needed to say was, “Assad is a dictator who gases his own people” for the American people to get behind the US brutal actions for over a decade. Not only that, but the US says that Syrians recently voted for Assad because he is “a dictator who gases his own people.” To my disappointment and no matter how ridiculous, this sentence still appears to be working on the US population.
Only American officials can say that sh*t with a straight face. Two wars and 12 years of sanctions has nothing to do with Iraq’s current situation. And it was simply unbelievable that he could imply that the situation the Syrian people find themselves in isn’t directly on us. These fuc*s have no conscience.
Oded Yinon Plan behind it all.
A big “Thank you” to George W., Rumsfeld and the AIPAC lobby who created this deplorable disaster. How counter-productive and embarrassing. ICC go to work! Oded Yinon is dancing on the table.
And George W is now admired an Rumsfeld died unscathed. If only there would be one of those bastards who would get their comeupance for all to see and enjoy.
And Cheney has a new heart………………
Paid by our tax dollars.
Could lead to ISIS resurrection? Nobody is missing ISIS more than US, While Obama feigned fighting ISIS by endlessly trying to regenerate Bin Laden moment — claiming to be endlessly killing some important ISIS leaders, that grew stale after Syria and Iraq beat ISIS back. Surrounding Mosul, and pinning them in Raqqa.
Trump — in neocon view messed up — by declaring real fight on ISIS. This cost our faithful collaborator and ISIS architect, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef his job, He was deposed months after Trump’s visit. It was on Trump urging that Qatar was declared terrorist instigator. To deflect blame from Saudi Arabia and penalize Qatar for Iran ties. It did not work.
So, now we are missing some violence in the Middle East, people turning on each other. Sure, we can pay for such services — but ISIS cannot be resurrected. Not without Saudi Wahhabi establishment blessing. And MBS as well as a the clans supporting the King and his son — put definitely stop to that.
Yes, bombing of Syria-Iraq border pass is serving purpose. From Jordan across Syria to Iraq — passage is cleared to move troublemakers, people and material through US Al-Tanf base.
Whatever mischief is planned, it will not be religion fueled. And will not be Saudi financed or blessed,
Times have changed. Where exactly will ISIS be found? Whose weapons, vehicles, housing, food or money will be used?
But for as long as we — by that I mean most of us — accept the idea that ISIS just happens out of thin air, and that there are holes in the desert from whence ISIS crawls out full blown — I do not blame officials for being dead stupid. Who will challenge them?
” a severe drought and a weak harvest ”
The US has helped by setting fire to crops and bombing food distribution centres