In this second podcast on the rise of ISIS, the Professor points out a variety of repercussions (to the region and the world) from the declaration of an Islamic State by the radical group that has been destabilizing SYria and Iraq. Some of the ripples in the pond caused by this ISIS rock include: re-thinking rebel/Assad support in Syria; an independent Kurdish state; a large Sunni-Shia schism; and most importantly, a possible thaw in relations between the US and Iran, and Iran and the Arab states.
Keywords: Iraq, Iran, ISIS, IS, Islamic State, Islam, Sunni, Shia, Shiite, Wahhabism, Ira-Iraq War, Saddam Hussein, Syria, Arab, Persian, Persian Gulf, oil, Saudi Arabia, US, Russia, Kurds, Kurdish, Kurdistan
A radical fringe Islamic group names ISIS is fighting to establish a extremist Islamic state in Iraq and Syria…and beyond. They control eastern Syria, western Iraq, just took control of Iraq’s 2nd biggest city of Mosul, and are advancing on the capital Bagdad! What the hell is going on here? Iraq is collapsing? Predictably, yes. In this rant the Professor outlines just a few of the contributing factors to why this significant event is taking place, the geographic/historic background of the state, and the consequences for the future of the region…and why it is the British’s fault.
Russia just agreed to ship the S-300 missile defense system to Syria, and has also pledged to support the Assad regime of Syria to the bitter end. Damn! Why they gotta be like that? Just being haters to Team West and freedom in general?
Not really. These moves are actually an extension of hundreds of years of Russian foreign policy in this region, and also are indicative of a re-assertive Russian entree back into Middle Eastern affairs in general…a move that counters the influence of their adversaries, strengthens the hand of their allies, and attempts to keep a lid on Islamic extremism and/or sectarian independence movements that might spill over into Russia itself. Putin power ain’t done in the Middle East just as yet….and it actually may be on the rise.
Keywords: Russia, Syria, S-300, missile defense system, Turkey, USA, Israel, Arab, Saudi Arabia, GCC, Black Sea, Crimean War, Russo-Turkish War, Iran, Chechnya, Dagestan, Caucuses, Islam, extremism, terrorism, Muslim Brotherhood, Arab Spring, Cold War
Here we are 2 years in to the Syrian Civil War that was sparked by the Arab Spring…70,000 dead, hundreds of thousands of refugees, and no end in site to the suffering. Instead of trying to make any grand predictions about the future of this mess, or to try and explain all the historical intricacies that lead up to it, the Professor is simply offering up a short list of players involved in the struggle for control and the soul of this state….and indeed outlines why this particular face-off could be the start of a greater regional showdown between Shia and Sunni Islam
Keywords: Syria, civil war, Shia, Alawite, Sunni, Islam, Iran, Hezbollah, Lebanon, Turkey, Israel, USA, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Arab, Arab Spring, Arab States
The Prime Minister of Israel just apologized to the Prime Minister of Turkey? What’s that all about? The apology issued by PM Benjamin Netanyahu if Israel to PM Recep Erdoğan of Turkey was over the death of 9 Turkish citizens in the 2010 Gaza Flotilla Raid. But this apology has wider repercussions than just political niceties….the re-established ties between Israel and Turkey may pave the way for these two old allies to move against Syria, in conjunction with the USA. Watch the Professor rage about all this, and more!
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