The New York Times ("U.S. Actions in Iraq Fueled Rise of a Rebel," Aug 11) reports that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the self-designated "caliph"of the Islamic world, and the leader of of ISIS, owes his rise to power to U.S. involvement in Iraq. "Political changes that fueled his fight, or led to his promotion, were born directly from some American action."
The story goes on to enumerate the following "direct" American actions (and inactions):
1. He allegedly spent five years in an American detention facility. (The Pentagon maintains, however, that following his arrest in early 2004, he was released that December.)
2. The American operation that killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, in 2006, led to Baghdadi's chance to take power.
3. The American ouster of Saddam Hussein (Iraq's brutal dictator) opened the lid that had suppressed extremist Islamist movements in Iraq, allowing Baghdadi "the freedom for his radical views to flourish."
4. The inaction of the U.S. early in the Syrian revolution my have led to the growth of ISIS, according to Rep. Elliot L. Engel (D-NY).
So are we to blame for the turmoil in Iraq and Syria? Are we largely responsible for the slaughter that is being inflicted on Kurds and Shiites in Iraq by Baghdadi? So it's really all our fault?
We seem to be held responsible for the ills of the world whether by our action or our inaction. We can't win!
The story goes on to enumerate the following "direct" American actions (and inactions):
1. He allegedly spent five years in an American detention facility. (The Pentagon maintains, however, that following his arrest in early 2004, he was released that December.)
2. The American operation that killed Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, in 2006, led to Baghdadi's chance to take power.
3. The American ouster of Saddam Hussein (Iraq's brutal dictator) opened the lid that had suppressed extremist Islamist movements in Iraq, allowing Baghdadi "the freedom for his radical views to flourish."
4. The inaction of the U.S. early in the Syrian revolution my have led to the growth of ISIS, according to Rep. Elliot L. Engel (D-NY).
So are we to blame for the turmoil in Iraq and Syria? Are we largely responsible for the slaughter that is being inflicted on Kurds and Shiites in Iraq by Baghdadi? So it's really all our fault?
We seem to be held responsible for the ills of the world whether by our action or our inaction. We can't win!
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