(Center for Strategic & International Studies) Anthony Cordesman - Even the best possible defeat of ISIS in both Syria and Iraq will immediately raise critical issues for the Arab Sunnis, Arab Shi'ites, Arab Alawites, and Kurds in each country. The broad ideological struggle for the future of Islam now goes far beyond ISIS, or even Islamic extremism. Iran and the Arab Gulf states increasingly are making it a struggle between all Sunnis and Shi'ites. Major elements of violent Islamist extremists will still survive in both countries and the region, regardless of what happens in Mosul or Raqqa, or to the ISIS brand name. Turkey, Iran, and Russia are key players with serious influence that do not want the same "end state" as the U.S. and its European allies, or have the same goals between them. The writer, who holds the Burke Chair in Strategy at CSIS, has held senior posts in the U.S. Department of Defense.
2016-09-30 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive