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Since 2008, Iraq gradually ceased to be a topic in extemporaneous speaking. This accelerated after the U.S. withdrew its remaining forces from the country in 2011. Optimists thought that Iraq questions would fade much like Vietnam questions did in the 1960s and 1970s. However, the rise of the Islamic State (IS) in 2014 will cause extempers to talk a great deal about Iraq policy in 2014-2015. The IS was proclaimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a Sunni militant group, on June 29 and includes territory in Syria and Iraq. This summer, ISIS continued its advances into Iraqi territory, seizing Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, and taking over several Christian towns. The group murdered non-Sunni Muslims, Christians, and those of other religious denominations. These religious minorities sought refuge elsewhere in Iraq, especially Kurdish areas of Northern Iraq. Advances by ISIS into Kurdish territory and their siege of the Yazidis – a Kurdish-speaking Zoroastrian/Sufi religious community – near Mount Sinjar prompted the Obama administration to launch airstrikes to halt the group’s advance. Although President Obama stated that U.S. ground forces will not be returning to Iraq, these airstrikes constitute a return of American military forces to Iraq. The airstrikes have also created a debate over the effectiveness of President Obama’s foreign policy, which his former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, criticized in The Atlantic.
This topic brief will discuss the reasons for American intervention against the Islamic State, how President Obama’s team looks to stop the IS’s advance, and how the violence in Iraq could impact the American political scene. Extempers are urged to look in the premium content archives for our briefs on Iraqi violence (2013) and the rise of the ISIS (2014) for more background on this subject.
Readers are also encouraged to use the links below and in the related R&D to bolster their files about this topic.
Here is today’s premium R&D to accompany 
Here is our weekly survey of news stories to round out the week of August 11th-17th.
Today’s R&D covers Boko Haram, an Islamic militant group in Nigeria. The group, whose name translates roughly as “Western education is forbidden” – it literally translates as “Fake education is forbidden” – is seeking to establish an Islamic state. Their power base is in northeastern Nigeria. Boko Haram has been fighting the Nigerian government since 2009 and its activities have led to the deaths of more than 5,000 people. Last November, the U.S. State Department listed Boko Haram as a terrorist organization.
Today’s R&D covers the 2016 presidential prospects of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. Although Romney lost the 2012 presidential election to President Barack Obama and has said that he has no interest in running for the presidency again, political observers speculate that he might be the best candidate the Republican Party can field in two years. Romney’s case for the White House has been strengthened over as his arguments on the campaign trail about elements of the Affordable Care Act, Iraq, and Mali have been proven true. Romney appearances are in high demand by Republican candidates seeking office in 2014, which could strengthen his chances of winning endorsements should he decide to run in 2016.
California is currently suffering from a prolonged drought that is damaging the state’s agricultural industry. The drought, which began three years ago, covers the entire state and 60 percent of the state is experiencing an “exceptional drought,” the worst level in its recorded history. Since California is America’s largest state and is the producer of a large percentage of its fruits and vegetables, its drought could have a significant impact beyond its borders. Due to the fact that scientists expect the drought to continue into 2015, extempers should be prepared to analyze California’s drought at tournaments during the 2014-2015 season. The topic is screaming for placement in a “domestic social” or “state and local issues” round.
Here is today’s premium R&D to accompany