Tag: the Islamic State

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Iraq has largely stayed under the radar during the 2013-2014 extemporaneous speaking season, which is a far cry from when the country was the focal point of many rounds between 2002 and 2008.  However, on the eve of this year’s National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament, Iraq has come back into the public eye in light of the collapse of the Iraqi Army in Mosul and Tikrit.  The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIL), forced the Iraqi Army to flee last week and are now threatening to capture Baghdad, the Iraqi capital.  The ISIS, who have been active in the Syrian civil war and aim to create a Sunni caliphate that encompasses territory from both countries, could threaten Middle East instability, lead to the partition of Iraq, and have a negative impact on global oil markets.

This topic brief will give some background on the ISIS, discuss their recent military operations in Iraq, and analyze the threat they pose to Iraq and other nations in the region, as well as how the rise of the ISIS may impact future American foreign policy toward Iraq.  Extempers are encouraged to read Extemp Central’s premium topic brief on Iraqi violence, which was written in September, to supplement this brief.

Readers are also encouraged to use the links below and in the related R&D to bolster their files about this topic.

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Extempers are probably filing a great deal of articles at the moment about the ongoing conflict in Syria.  The United States is preparing for a possible intervention there, but it is important to go back to a conflict that also involved some of the current issues regarding Syria:  a country that is under the rule of a tyrant, questions of weapons of mass destruction use, and uncertainty about who will fill the power vacuum if that tyrant is eliminated.  The invasion of Iraq in March 2003 was supposed to inaugurate a process of nation building in the Middle East, whereby Iraq would be a beacon of democracy for other Middle Eastern nations.  Ten years later and two years after the withdrawal of American troops, Iraq is witnessing an increase in sectarian violence, at its highest levels since 2008 and there are fears that if Iraq descends into anarchy and violence that the sacrifices of American and coalition personnel made in the 2003 invasion and occupation were for naught.  The U.S. media has largely ignored Iraq over the past year, focusing most of its attention on Syria and other uprisings in the Arab world.  However, this neglect is unwarranted, as Iraq could have significant implications for American foreign policy in the region.

This brief will summarize some facts about the rising tide of sectarian violence in Iraq, the causes of that violence, and potential solutions for ending it and putting Iraq on the path towards domestic tranquility and economic prosperity.

Readers are also encouraged to use the links below and in the related R&D to bolster their files about this topic.

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