Seriously, what happened to the Iraq army we spent trillions on?

[Chan790]

48. I'm not surprised by it.

Let's address each of those points separately.

1.) Better-trained. ISIS has largely absorbed those members of the Baathist party and Iraqi military under Saddam Hussein who had and have been shut-out by the current government from employment or a role in the government. At the outset of the First Gulf War, these people comprised one of the best-trained and equipped militaries in the world...they didn't simply disappear because America kicked their asses. In some cases, twice. Now they're in the ISIS camp. They're training the fanatics, it's not really a surprise that some of the best military people in the region are training scrubs and conscripts into decent soldiers.

2.) Better-equipped. Well, between their funders in Qatar and Saudi Arabia and what they may have stolen from banks, they're the wealthiest terror organization in history. They can afford to buy the ordinance and equipment they need to fight a faltering Iraqi Army, fellow militias, Peshmerga and a largely-hobbled Syrian military. Realize too that they're avoiding open conflict with Turkey, Israel and Iran...the three best equipped and trained military forces in the region. Note too the absence of American boots on the ground. It's easy to look well-equipped and capable when you're avoiding the bullies on the block with the big toys.

3.) More capable at logistics. Again, Baathists and remnants of Saddam's forces. Those people aren't strategic lightweights or inept soldiers, even if the US Army routed them. There are substantial numbers of professional soldiers in their ranks...often fighting non-professional soldiers.

4.) Propaganda. They, like all Al Qaeda offshoots, have always been very good at this. It's somewhat a bit of American bravado to question that they're capable of something they've been capable at all-along.