For those supporting the President's plan to fight ISIS: What if....

[cali]

7. Why was it relatively peaceful for decades? One word: Saddam.

that is not debatable.

There is, alas, little evidence to rely on when it comes to those in the Iraqi government having learned from the past several years. I hope they have, but it's less likely than that they'll continue governing in much the same manner.

I don't know of any leader in Syria who commands the allegiance of a significant number of people who could unify that country.

I realize that the bombing will be of ISIS forces, but it will still lead to the deaths of civilians. I hope you're right about it not being the U.S. doing the bombing, but as of now, it looks like it will be. Plans for bombing by the U.S. have been developed

What I think can be stated confidently, is that this is going to be a long drawn out affair, and the longer it is, the more "unforeseen consequences" and the more blowback.