R2P and Iraq (Foreign Policy in Focus)

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/ISIS) is wreaking havoc in Iraq, committing atrocities and leaving death and destruction in its wake. The situation will soon reach the point of no return as far as legitimate international intervention is concerned. According to recent data from the United Nations, Iraq saw at least 1,571 civilian casualties with an additional 1763 wounded in the month of June alone. Furthermore, there has been broad displacement of people, with numbers upwards of 600,000 since the beginning of June. More recently, concern has heightened over ISIL’s threat against the non-Muslim populations in Mosul, giving them an ultimatum to leave, convert to Islam, or pay a tax—if not, they risk execution. The threats have caused many civilians to flee. Read more…