NATO should invade ISIS-held territory
The only way to deny ISIS control of any territory is an invasion and occupation by a coalition of outside powers.
.. Unfortunately, these gains did not last, because the Shia-dominated government in Baghdad did not reach political accommodation with the Sunnis of the Awakening movement. Many Iraqi Sunni Arabs, fearing persecution from a sectarian Iraqi government, accepted ISIS as the less bad alternative.
.. To prevent something similar from happening, NATO should aim to create semiautonomous regions controlled by Sunni tribal leaders under restored Syrian and Iraqi sovereignty, using Iraqi Kurdistan as a model.
.. Though difficult, this plan could succeed because, in addition to weakening ISIS, all parties get something they want.
- Vienna conference participants would increase the chances of a diplomatic solution to the Syrian civil war, since ISIS is the largest potential spoiler.
- The EU, Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan would all get relief from the flood of refugees, as civilians would no longer need to flee ISIS, and some could even return home to stabilized areas of Iraq and Syria.
- Russia would retain its military bases and influence in Syria.
- Iran would ensure the survival of the Syrian and Iraqi governments.
- The Kurds would maintain their autonomy, perhaps with slightly expanded territorial control.
- Iraqi Sunni Arabs would get some autonomy from the central government in Baghdad.
- The Shia-dominated Iraqi government would regain sovereignty over all of Iraq.
- Finally, the United States and France would ensure a multilateral, legally recognized campaign to eliminate ISIS, rather than the half measures both have pursued thus far.