In 1914 what became known as the Great War began following the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo. All the Europeans believed they understood each other without bothering to ask to relevant question. What were the national interests of their allies and enemies. Thus, began a war over an Archduke disliked not only by his own subjects, but by his own family.
Germany had an allie, the Ottoman empire which saw an opportunity to expand to its political and military influence. As history shows the leaders of the Ottoman chose unwisely. As victors Great Britain and France seized the opportunity to increase their spheres of political control over the former regions of the Ottoman empire in the Middle East.
Two gentlemen Sykes and Picot working together created what we know as the modern Middle East.
Without any consideration for ethnic or religious rivalries they simply drew lines on a map. Creating modern day Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon all former provinces of the now broken up Ottoman empire.
David Gergen a former advisor to Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton published an opinion piece for CNN on the current crisis in Iraq. While Mr. Gergen blames George W. Bush for creating the situation with America's invasion of Iraq in March of 2003 he lays most of the blame at the feet of President Obama because he wouldn't force Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki to allow America to keep a ground force of 16,000 personnel in country.
He even manages to give credit to Nouri Al Maliki for being corrupt, dictatorial, sideling the Kurds and Sunnis and completely partisan but still believes that the fault lies with President Obama.
David Gergen conveniently leaves out the historical context for the current conflict or the fact that it isn't just a partisan war but a religious one with 1,400 years of history behind it.
Germany had an allie, the Ottoman empire which saw an opportunity to expand to its political and military influence. As history shows the leaders of the Ottoman chose unwisely. As victors Great Britain and France seized the opportunity to increase their spheres of political control over the former regions of the Ottoman empire in the Middle East.
Two gentlemen Sykes and Picot working together created what we know as the modern Middle East.
Without any consideration for ethnic or religious rivalries they simply drew lines on a map. Creating modern day Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon all former provinces of the now broken up Ottoman empire.
David Gergen a former advisor to Presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton published an opinion piece for CNN on the current crisis in Iraq. While Mr. Gergen blames George W. Bush for creating the situation with America's invasion of Iraq in March of 2003 he lays most of the blame at the feet of President Obama because he wouldn't force Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki to allow America to keep a ground force of 16,000 personnel in country.
He even manages to give credit to Nouri Al Maliki for being corrupt, dictatorial, sideling the Kurds and Sunnis and completely partisan but still believes that the fault lies with President Obama.
David Gergen conveniently leaves out the historical context for the current conflict or the fact that it isn't just a partisan war but a religious one with 1,400 years of history behind it.
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