And implications for other countries
What is foremost at stake after the ISIS blitz is the integrity of Iraq. The militants who have established new records in brutality have succeeded in demoralising the Iraqi troops. This is visible from the way three divs folded despite Iraqi army’s reputation as the best trained and best equipped force in the Arab world. As the advance by the ISIS continues, there is little hope of the demoralised Iraqi troops taking a stand anywhere.
The Maliki government’s sectarian policies have alienated the sunni population, thus forestalling any possibility of a national front against the militants. An intervention by Iran would give further boost to sectarian divisions. Any move by the US to support the government is also likely to be resented by the sunni tribes. Maliki meanwhile continues to pursue brinksmanship. His resignation, as suggested by Washington, could have led to US airforce coming to the rescue of the Iraqi troops. Maliki however refused to resign, hoping that the global implication of the ISIS victory would force Washington to intervene whether it likes it or not.
As ISIS occupied Mosul, the Kurd Peshmarga militia found it convenient to establish control over the oil fields of Kirkuk. There is an urge in a large section of the Kurdish population for having a separate state. The control over Kirkuk makes an independent Kurdistan economically viable. Unless major powers intervene to maintain the unity of Iraq, it is likely to be divided into three separate countries. The ISIS victory in Iraq could also unsettle the Middle East.
The outside powers who intervened in Syria are responsible for the rise of the ISIS and other extremist groups. It is their turn now to face the music. Soon the foreign militants would return to their own countries to wage jihad. Prime Minister Cameron is the first to express concern over the Britons fighting side by side with the ISIS. He is likely to be followed by others.