Everything about ISIL

Most of the convictions on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have proven to be false so far, which has urged the West and regional powers to revisit their strategies toward Iraq and Syria.

One of the assumptions about ISIL was that rival and hostile countries could not come together in the anti-ISIL coalition. Yet, it seems that some behind the scene cooperation has already started between the U.S. and the Bashar al-Assad regime and the same with regional powers. Baghdad and Arbil, which had been at odds for a long time, are now on the same front. Arbil has also put aside its differences with northern Syria and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and these three groups are now fighting together.

Following the cooperation between the U.S. and Iran over Iraq, Tehran is now helping northern Iraq in its struggle against ISIL. This has come as surprise to many, since Iran had been keeping its distance toward Arbil, fearing their independence bid would provoke the Kurds in Iran, too. Cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia is also highly likely soon.

Another conviction has been that the U.S. would not attack ISIL in Syria. However, last week, Chairman of the Chief of Staff General Martin Dempsey said ISIL could not be defeated without addressing it in Syria. Following this, the U.S. began surveillance flights over Syria.

This is mainly because Washington has come to terms with the fact that it is impossible to differentiate between Iraq and Syria anymore since the ISIL has eroded the borders. In addition, 20 percent of Iraq’s population is Sunni, whereas this number is 60 in Syria, meaning ISIL is able to attract much more supporters.

Another important factor is operational necessities. Al-Assad...