Obama and the Theory of ‘Limited Operations’

After a setback in June, two competing theories jumped up like a cat on a hot tin roof. The first is held by those loyal to the government and called for the administration to provide support to those attempting to expel the Islamic State from Mosul, Tikrit and the mountain regions. The second is held by the opposition, who believes the government is responsible for what has happened and must pay the price. Both sides are justified in their own right. Those loyal to the administration blame Americans for their limited support to Iraq during the collapse of the status of forces agreement. The problem with this side is that its silence on the matter is compelling.

Meanwhile, the opposition frequently questions the feasibility of spending tens of billions of dollars on security and defense.

In order to fulfill the demands of the defense forces, the loyalists believe that Mosul and Salahuddin must be saved from falling into the hands of “Islamic State rats,” so named for their plot to control territory from Erbil, Barzani and Najafi to Turkey and Saudi Arabia. For its part, the opposition is accused of collaborating with the so-called rats, who distinguish themselves from the opposition, and who have proposed a solution that does not involve al-Maliki’s ouster. The two sides undoubtedly have had little impact on the Obama administration, which is reluctant to return to the quagmire in Iraq. Congress already has accused President Obama of exceeding his constitutional limits. Despite a lack of agreement among Iraqi leaders ready to slaughter one another upon sight, the president seemed ready to intervene and, if necessary, take up arms to combat the Islamic State. But this was limited to mere show, as Iraqi leaders still are unable to reach an agreement. In fact, Obama knew this, as the new Iraq remains a land of impossibilities.

Obama’s opinion is similar to that of Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry and, last but not least, Commander Lloyd Austin of U.S. Central Command, who has described the move as joint “limited operations,” stating that there is no magic wand that can solve Iraq’s problems, and the solution is not to do everything on Iraq’s behalf. There is a possibility of ousting the Islamic State, stopping Iranian and Saudi Shiite influence, and defending religious minorities, but the resolution should not please Erbil at the expense of Baghdad (and vice versa).

Americans want your deputies in our parliament and our deputies in yours. Secure your borders, seas and groundwater wells. Water your parks, airports, and roads in moderation. Finally, preserve your food supplies and pray as you wake and before you sleep till the day of reckoning.