ISIS in Iraq and Syria

That's another issue, we're underestimating their military knowledge. Their most senior commanders are senior ex-Iraqi army officers, whereas much of their soldiers are seasoned combatants who've spent years fighting in Syria.
 
We take isis to be uneducated maniacs and that's why we're here. They know what they are doing.
 
Also, just a thought for the mods - could we possible merge this and the Syria thread? Its a bit hard keeping track of updates since we seem to have most of what's happening in Kobani for example posted in the Iraq thread, despite Kobani being in Syria.

If not, I think the thread titles should be renamed - unfortunately ISIS have seized a lot more than Mosul :(
 
More American weapons to be used against the YPG and Peshmerga then.
 
Also, just a thought for the mods - could we possible merge this and the Syria thread? Its a bit hard keeping track of updates since we seem to have most of what's happening in Kobani for example posted in the Iraq thread, despite Kobani being in Syria.

If not, I think the thread titles should be renamed - unfortunately ISIS have seized a lot more than Mosul :(

It's the Muslims-killing-Muslims-and-noone-in-the-West-gives-a-fvck-until-a-Westerner-dies thread
 
So seeing as the Iraqi army clearly can't deal with ISIS, how about we get some boots on the ground to sort this mess out? :)
 
It's the Muslims-killing-Muslims-and-noone-in-the-West-gives-a-fvck-until-a-Westerner-dies thread
cant we call it the isis vs the nazi bikers thread
http://rt.com/news/195980-netherlands-biker-gang-isis/
Bikers v ISIS? Dutch motorcycle gang gets green light to fight Islamic State
Published time: October 15, 2014 01:13
Edited time: October 15, 2014 10:05
Get short URL


byker.si.jpg

Reuters / Morris Mac Matzen

ISIS in Iraq, Syria unrest
Tags

Arms, Europe, Iraq, Middle East, Security,Syria, Thrills&Spills, War

Already battling airstrikes conducted by the US and its allies, the Islamic State now has another threat to look out for: a motorcycle gang from the Netherlands.

Three members of the infamous Dutch biker gang “No Surrender” reportedly journeyed to Iraq and Syria last week in order to fight alongside Kurdish troops and against Islamic State (IS) militants.

Now, commenting on the legality of that move, the Dutch public prosecutor said Tuesday they are allowed to do so.

“Joining a foreign armed force was previously punishable, now it’s no longer forbidden,” the prosecutor’s spokesman, Wim de Bruin, told AFP.

As long as the individuals do not enlist in a battle against the Netherlands, they are not committing a crime, he added. If the members of the biker gang are found to be engaging in torture or rape, however, De Bruin said they could be indicted on criminal charges.

“The big difference with IS is that it’s listed as a terrorist group,” De Bruin said. “That means that even preparing to join IS is punishable.”

The comments come after it was revealed that at least three No Surrender members had joined Kurdish fighters in the Middle East. The gang’s leader, Klaas Otto, confirmed that the members were from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Breda. One of them can be seen in a photograph holding a Kalashnikov assault rifle.

Dutch bikers are far from being the only individuals traveling to fight the Islamic State. Last week, aReuters report noted that some US citizens have already done the same. A man named Brian Wilson, who claimed to be a former soldier, said multiple Americans are now fighting with Kurdish troops.



bykers.jpg

AFP Photo / ANP / Jerry Lampen



“There are a few Americans who wanted to come here and help the YPG in any way we can,” he said to Reuters, referring to the main Kurdish group battling Syrian militants. “Everything has been fine. They’re very nice, very accommodating, hospitable. Very good people,” he added about his Kurdish hosts.

READ MORE: Trojan horse: ISIS militants come to Europe disguised as refugees, US intel sources claim

Fighting on the other side of the battle, though, are even more foreigners. American officials believe there are more than 15,000 people from 80 different countries fighting alongside IS, including more than 2,000 Europeans and 100 Americans.

Last week, unnamed US officials said that some of the militants are entering Western Europe while disguised as refugees.
 
So seeing as the Iraqi army clearly can't deal with ISIS, how about we get some boots on the ground to sort this mess out? :)
nazi biker boots?
http://rt.com/news/195980-netherlands-biker-gang-isis/
Bikers v ISIS? Dutch motorcycle gang gets green light to fight Islamic State
Published time: October 15, 2014 01:13
Edited time: October 15, 2014 10:05
Get short URL


byker.si.jpg

Reuters / Morris Mac Matzen

ISIS in Iraq, Syria unrest
Tags

Arms, Europe, Iraq, Middle East, Security,Syria, Thrills&Spills, War

Already battling airstrikes conducted by the US and its allies, the Islamic State now has another threat to look out for: a motorcycle gang from the Netherlands.

Three members of the infamous Dutch biker gang “No Surrender” reportedly journeyed to Iraq and Syria last week in order to fight alongside Kurdish troops and against Islamic State (IS) militants.

Now, commenting on the legality of that move, the Dutch public prosecutor said Tuesday they are allowed to do so.

“Joining a foreign armed force was previously punishable, now it’s no longer forbidden,” the prosecutor’s spokesman, Wim de Bruin, told AFP.

As long as the individuals do not enlist in a battle against the Netherlands, they are not committing a crime, he added. If the members of the biker gang are found to be engaging in torture or rape, however, De Bruin said they could be indicted on criminal charges.

“The big difference with IS is that it’s listed as a terrorist group,” De Bruin said. “That means that even preparing to join IS is punishable.”

The comments come after it was revealed that at least three No Surrender members had joined Kurdish fighters in the Middle East. The gang’s leader, Klaas Otto, confirmed that the members were from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Breda. One of them can be seen in a photograph holding a Kalashnikov assault rifle.

Dutch bikers are far from being the only individuals traveling to fight the Islamic State. Last week, aReuters report noted that some US citizens have already done the same. A man named Brian Wilson, who claimed to be a former soldier, said multiple Americans are now fighting with Kurdish troops.



bykers.jpg

AFP Photo / ANP / Jerry Lampen



“There are a few Americans who wanted to come here and help the YPG in any way we can,” he said to Reuters, referring to the main Kurdish group battling Syrian militants. “Everything has been fine. They’re very nice, very accommodating, hospitable. Very good people,” he added about his Kurdish hosts.

READ MORE: Trojan horse: ISIS militants come to Europe disguised as refugees, US intel sources claim

Fighting on the other side of the battle, though, are even more foreigners. American officials believe there are more than 15,000 people from 80 different countries fighting alongside IS, including more than 2,000 Europeans and 100 Americans.

Last week, unnamed US officials said that some of the militants are entering Western Europe while disguised as refugees.
 
If you desperately want to use realism to analyse anything use another region of the world, e.g. southeast asia. Not that it would provide deep insights, but at least it can claim some accuracy. In a region, where national states itself struggle to exist, realism has literately nothing to say. The few aspects that realistic theories can explain in the middle east are so shallow that its not worth talking about.

It's all well to criticize Realism when you don't offer any alternative theories. As long as the state remains the fundamental unit of analysis, Realism will continue to have a seat at the head of the table.
 
Also, just a thought for the mods - could we possible merge this and the Syria thread? Its a bit hard keeping track of updates since we seem to have most of what's happening in Kobani for example posted in the Iraq thread, despite Kobani being in Syria.

If not, I think the thread titles should be renamed - unfortunately ISIS have seized a lot more than Mosul :(

And create an even bigger mega thread when we're moving away from them? We may close the Syria thread instead since most of the news and discussions there have exhausted themselves over the past few years.
 
And create an even bigger mega thread when we're moving away from them? We may close the Syria thread instead since most of the news and discussions there have exhausted themselves over the past few years.

Thought the mega-thread conundrum was more of a football forum thing to avoid recent stories getting lost in the abyss of old thread titles. Suppose this can just be the quintessential 'ISIS' thread then.
 
@Raoul superpowers destabilize other states to further their own interests - the US and erstwhile USSR did it to hurt each other, and the US and several western states continue to do it. China has been doing it in the past few decades too in its immediate vicinity

As an Indian subject to alarmingly frequent terror attacks caused as a direct result of two superpowers (US/China) allying/funding a rogue state, it is a sad reality and one with no solution imminent
 
France are going to start arming the YPG.
 
Iraq doesn't deserve to be a country, can't defend themselves and still want to rule the Kurdish.

It was doing fine before the US decided to gut its entire military structure and get them to start from scratch, making them unable to defend themselves while putting a lot of disgruntled veterans out of work and straight into the hands of insurgent factions like ISIS. Treatment of Kurds has been appalling but they're not the only nation who's been shafting them.

Prior to the Iraq war there was zero Al-Qaeda or Islamist terror presence, post-2003 its been absolute rife. Go figure.
 
Three planes doesn't mean it's an Air Force. If it even gets off the ground, then it'll make for good target practice for Americans.
 
Telegraph are doing a live stream on their website of the fight in Kobane from a hill in Turkey. Nice to see air strikes and the loud sound of explosions when they hit their target. :)
 
Just saw a huge air strike in Kobane.

mcOI0H6.jpg
 
I'm seeing ISIS mortars being fired at the North of the town, right on the Turkish border. More and more Turkish armoured vehicles moving near the border whenever this happens.
 
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ISIS flag still flying on a building in East Kobane.

I can see 3 Turkish tanks moving right to the border, unclear on whether they will cross or not. Tense...
 
Turkish mortars are being fired! Their positions just got hit by ISIS and the camera has zoomed in on them preparing their artillery. Wow.