PAX voices concern over US-led strategy in Iraq and Syria

In light of recent expansion of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the Dutch Pax Christi section – PAX – issued a new Syria & Iraq Alert, highlighting the need for a comprehensive political strategy to counter ISIS.

The sudden and unforeseen expansion of ISIS in Iraq and Syria over the summer has led to a dramatic shift on the ground in the Middle East, in Western public opinion, and subsequently in the involvement of the international community.

Although ISIS had been a threat to civilians in northern Syria and Iraq over the past year, the potential genocide of the Iraqi Yezidi community, the capture of Mosul, and the images of journalists and an aid worker being beheaded by an English-speaking jihad fighter have caused an urgent sense that the crisis in Iraq and Syria cannot be solved without direct
 international interference.

PAX believes that the present predominantly military response of the US-led coalition against ISIS lacks a clear political strategy. A tactical military response that is not part of a comprehensive political strategy will lead to an open-ended military campaign with unclear goals, and is doomed to fail. The costs of setting unclear and moving targets are that violence is compounded while victory remains elusive.

Read the full alert here: www.paxchristi.net/news/pax-issues-syria-iraq-alert/3718 #sthash.AivD3LjM.dpuf