Iraqi PM declares "State of Emergency" as ISIS occupy Mosul

[The Greater Aryan Race]

I think they will cut down on their rethoric a bit as they sweep through Iraq, out of caution for Iranian involvement.

Iran will certainly send in support, and it wouldn't surprise me if they put boots on the ground.

Knowing how volatile ISIL is, I wouldn't be surprised if they upped the anti-Shia and anti-Iranian rhetoric to provoke an Iranian response. It could ultimately work in their favour.

[Blakk Metal]

(For those that haven't read the article, they basically stated their intention to move into Jordan and to slaughter it's king)

I doubt that will happen. For one thing, Jordanians have great admiration for their king and their military is well funded and has combat experience in dealing with terror groups (having essentially kicked out the PLO and Black September).

If they take Iraq, they will receive a serious boost in publicity and morale, with a corresponding increase in volunteers and financiers.

[Ascelonia]

An intervention by Iran would not necessarily be a good thing. For one, the Sunnis in the Middle-East, for all their dislike of ISIL, wouldn't want infidel Shia Persians to project their influence in the region any more than they would like. So an Iranian intervention of sorts could potentially compound the whole crisis even more.

Indeed, Iran getting involved would be bad. Maliki has done enough damage as it is.

On the contrary, Iran is the best option we have. We should start supporting the Shia muslims against ISIS and arming them. We don't have to waste American lives and we might even be able to profit from selling weapons.

In fact, if we weren't so adamant about clamping down on Iran's nuclear program, they would have some decent options for dealing with the Sunni extremists.

[Volnotova]

It's obvious what Obama should do in response. Evacuate the embassy.

Americans are actually already being evactuated from northern Iraq as we speak...

The situation really is going to hell in a handbasket.

(For those that haven't read the article, they basically stated their intention to move into Jordan and to slaughter it's king)

I doubt that will happen. For one thing, Jordanians have great admiration for their king and their military is well funded and has combat experience in dealing with terror groups (having essentially kicked out the PLO and Black September).

In case they capture (most of) Syria and Iraq they will end up being outnumbered, add to that the fact that Jordan is already struggling with Syrian refugees and a water crisis and chances are they won't be able to hold out without thorough American and Saudi support.

[Purpelia]

Why would the American political elite (or at least the Obama administration) want to turn themselves into pariahs?

By "we" I am referring to the EU mostly. But generally everyone.

Are you kidding me? ISIS has Imperial Japanese troops and TV Slade leadership. It must be expunged immediately, before it pulls some really bad shit.

If they are willing to work with us and provide us oil they can go IJA on the locals all they want as far as I am concerned. They just have to agree to not expand any further and sell us the oil we want.

Now, I do not think it is likely that they would agree to the terms. But why not try?

[Viritica]

And put the people of Iraq in an even more shitty situation?

How about no.

Screw Iraq, ISIS is the closest real life has to a supervillainous organization.

The Iraqi military is going to fail eventually, scorched earth or no scorched earth. Their only hope is for the Saudis or Iranians to intervene, which there is little chance of happening. All scorched earth would do is delay the inevitable.

It would also make it significantly harder for ISIS to take over neighboring countries since they will have no potential industrial base to work with.

If I'm correct the only other country the ISIS has interest in is Syria, and there's no way in hell Assad would let them take over.

[Volnotova]

Are you kidding me? ISIS has Imperial Japanese troops and TV Slade leadership. It must be expunged immediately, before it pulls some really bad shit.

Imperial Japanese troops and Mongol Horde/Einsatzgruppen tactics.

Sounds about right.

Screw Iraq, ISIS is the closest real life has to a supervillainous organization.

It would also make it significantly harder for ISIS to take over neighboring countries since they will have no potential industrial base to work with.

If I'm correct the only other country the ISIS has interest in is Syria, and there's no way in hell Assad would let them take over.

Actually no, they are interested in Iraq and Jordan as well. (As earlier posted links have shown).

[Ascelonia]

Are you kidding me? ISIS has Imperial Japanese troops and TV Slade leadership. It must be expunged immediately, before it pulls some really bad shit.

If they are willing to work with us and provide us oil they can go IJA on the locals all they want as far as I am concerned. They just have to agree to not expand any further and sell us the oil we want.

Now, I do not think it is likely that they would agree to the terms. But why not try?

We could, instead, use the opportunity to repair relations with Iran and start backing Shia militants.

[Kelmet]

Sadly, it seems that a dictator is the only thing that will keep that country at peace

[Volnotova]

If they are willing to work with us and provide us oil they can go IJA on the locals all they want as far as I am concerned. They just have to agree to not expand any further and sell us the oil we want.

Now, I do not think it is likely that they would agree to the terms. But why not try?

We could, instead, use the opportunity to repair relations with Iran and start backing Shia militants.

As long as Saudi Arabia and Iran go at each other with their proxy wars (and continue to extend the chessboard until it encompasses all of the middle east) the only winning move is not to play.

[Volnotova]

Sadly, it seems that a dictator is the only thing that will keep that country at peace

Malik tried to declare a state of emergency (which would have granted himself more powers) but failed.

[Dracoria]

Still, you think the gunships would be a pretty capable of doing something.

The problem here is that helicopter gunships are relatively vulnerable to primitive ground fire when compared to high-altitude or high-speed fixed-wings, and 6 gunships means every single loss will hurt the Iraqi military significantly. They'll have to be used cautiously, or someone has to start shipping in new machines rather quickly.

IIRC, the military of Jordan is one of the better ones in the region and their monarch is very popular. I feel like ISIS would probably lose badly, if they attempted that.

An attack on Jordan could go horribly bad for ISIS. Jordan has a lot of friends as well as a respectable military, and one of their friends is one rather unique in the region. Don't for a second think Israel will turn a blind eye to an attack on their local best buds; if nothing else, it will attract a massive air campaign, and we know how experienced the Israelis are with air strikes. Assassinations of ISIS leaders would soon follow. Honestly, I'd almost like to see them try.

[Blakk Metal]

If they are willing to work with us and provide us oil they can go IJA on the locals all they want as far as I am concerned.

ISIS ain't gonna work with you. They believe they are holier than thou and are therefore entitled to rule thou.

Screw Iraq, ISIS is the closest real life has to a supervillainous organization.

It would also make it significantly harder for ISIS to take over neighboring countries since they will have no potential industrial base to work with.

If I'm correct the only other country the ISIS has interest in is Syria, and there's no way in hell Assad would let them take over.

Reality doesn't heed the wishes of mortals.

Are you kidding me? ISIS has Imperial Japanese troops and TV Slade leadership. It must be expunged immediately, before it pulls some really bad shit.

Imperial Japanese troops and Mongol Horde/Einsatzgruppen tactics.

Sounds about right.

More like Jap troops, Jap tactics, Jap strategy, Nazi occupation, and TV Slade management.

If I'm correct the only other country the ISIS has interest in is Syria, and there's no way in hell Assad would let them take over.

Actually no, they are interested in Iraq and Jordan as well. (As earlier posted links have shown).

They want to create a new Caliphate, and may possibly try to do what previous Caliphs were never able to do.

[Viritica]

Are you kidding me? ISIS has Imperial Japanese troops and TV Slade leadership. It must be expunged immediately, before it pulls some really bad shit.

Imperial Japanese troops and Mongol Horde/Einsatzgruppen tactics.

Sounds about right.

If I'm correct the only other country the ISIS has interest in is Syria, and there's no way in hell Assad would let them take over.

Actually no, they are interested in Iraq and Jordan as well. (As earlier posted links have shown).

Yes, I know they're interested in Iraq. That's practically what this whole fucking thread is about. Since when have they been interested in Jordan?

[Volnotova]

Imperial Japanese troops and Mongol Horde/Einsatzgruppen tactics.

Sounds about right.



Actually no, they are interested in Iraq and Jordan as well. (As earlier posted links have shown).

Yes, I know they're interested in Iraq. That's practically what this whole fucking thread is about. Since when have they been interested in Jordan?

Link

They also want to 'slaughter' King Abdullah.

[Viritica]

Yes, I know they're interested in Iraq. That's practically what this whole fucking thread is about. Since when have they been interested in Jordan?

Link

They also want to 'slaughter' King Abdullah.

Well, that's disturbing.

[The Greater Aryan Race]

On the contrary, Iran is the best option we have. We should start supporting the Shia muslims against ISIS and arming them. We don't have to waste American lives and we might even be able to profit from selling weapons.

In fact, if we weren't so adamant about clamping down on Iran's nuclear program, they would have some decent options for dealing with the Sunni extremists.

Arming one sect of Muslims against another sect of Muslims? Yeah...no that's a terrible idea, you're just encouraging Muslims to turn against Muslims.

[Volnotova]

Well, apparently it's even worse than it was.

After the taking of Mosul they managed to seize American hardware and nearly half a billion dollars in money (at the very least) from the Mosul central bank alone.

[United Marxist Nations]

Well, apparently it's even worse than it was.

After the taking of Mosul they managed to seize American hardware and nearly half a billion dollars in money (at the very least) from the Mosul central bank alone.

Any word on what some of that equipment they've taken is?

[Volnotova]

Well, apparently it's even worse than it was.

After the taking of Mosul they managed to seize American hardware and nearly half a billion dollars in money (at the very least) from the Mosul central bank alone.

Any word on what some of that equipment they've taken is?

Helicopters, humvees, tanks, etc. Also ammunition and small arms.

Oh, and they freed thousands of their fighters.

[United Marxist Nations]

Any word on what some of that equipment they've taken is?

Helicopters, humvees, tanks, etc.

Which tanks, the T-72M's or the M1A1M's? The latter would be much more of a problem.

[Saiwania]

It could defend itself for a couple days but would need assistance if faced with a rogue Iraq.

If Kuwait can only hold out for one day, I think it could be attacked if ISIL decides to push all the way. I don't think ISIL would have the audacity to try to take on Israel but I think Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon would all be vulnerable. While Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Iran are all powerful enough to defend themselves.

If ISIL takes Jordan, do you think they will try taking the West Bank; which will probably provoke Israel or leave it alone as a buffer zone?

[United Marxist Nations]

It could defend itself for a couple days but would need assistance if faced with a rogue Iraq.

If Kuwait can only hold out for one day, I think it could be attacked if ISIL decides to push all the way. I don't think ISIL would have the audacity to try to take on Israel but I think Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon would all be vulnerable. While Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Iran are all powerful enough to defend themselves.

If ISIL takes Jordan, do you think they will try taking the West Bank which will probably provoke Israel or leave it alone as a buffer zone?

I think Syria can probably continue to hold its own for the time being, as it has been for years now.

[Saruhan]

It could defend itself for a couple days but would need assistance if faced with a rogue Iraq.

If Kuwait can only hold out for one day, I think it could be attacked if ISIL decides to push all the way. I don't think ISIL would have the audacity to try to take on Israel but I think Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon would all be vulnerable. While Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Iran are all powerful enough to defend themselves.

If ISIL takes Jordan, do you think they will try taking the West Bank which will probably provoke Israel or leave it alone as a buffer zone?

They'd probably go for Lebanon before the West bank. But Israel is a part of the Levant, so it's going to be a target eventually.

[Dracoria]

On the contrary, Iran is the best option we have. We should start supporting the Shia muslims against ISIS and arming them. We don't have to waste American lives and we might even be able to profit from selling weapons.

In fact, if we weren't so adamant about clamping down on Iran's nuclear program, they would have some decent options for dealing with the Sunni extremists.

Arming one sect of Muslims against another sect of Muslims? Yeah...no that's a terrible idea, you're just encouraging Muslims to turn against Muslims.

Sunni and Shia extremists have been at eachother's throats for years. Even moderates often find differences. The issue here is that the Shi'ites are probably the best option for a local response against Sunni extremism. Bringing in non-Muslim forces threatens to bring in some of the moderates on the side of the extremists or even worse, potentially cause a temporary alliance among the two extremist camps.