Tuesday, November 25, 2014



Counterproductive

Since June, the US has been bombing Iraq. Since September, they've been bombing Syria. In both cases, the aim is ostensibly to stop ISIS. So how's it working out?

About as badly as you'd expect:

US air strikes in Syria are encouraging anti-regime fighters to forge alliances with or even defect to Islamic State (Isis), according to a series of interviews conducted by the Guardian.

Fighters from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and Islamic military groups are joining forces with Isis, which has gained control of swaths of Syria and Iraq and has beheaded six western hostages in the past few months.

Some brigades have transferred their allegiance, while others are forming tactical alliances or truces. Support among civilians also appears to be growing in some areas as a result of resentment over US-led military action.


In other words, murdering people from the air has strengthened support for ISIS. Its been a hugely counterproductive effort. Much like the war on terror itself.

And John Key wants us to involve ourselves in this mess? I can't think of anything stupider.