No Boots
There is now a serious debate over whether we should send troops to stabilize the situation in Iraq, and some are even calling to go into Syria as well. This is a truly lousy idea. Besides the obvious point of getting sucked into Middle East quagmires, there is also something called the Pact of Umar that we should be aware of:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pact_of_Umar
This is the primary body of rules for the treatment of non-Muslims in Muslim lands under Sharia law. Among other things, it forbids non-Muslims to carry weapons. The concept of peace-keeping troops is unknown: armed "unbelievers" are automatically invaders and occupiers. It should be remembered that both the Sunnis and the Shias formed anti-American militias when we were in Iraq. If we send troops back in, they are going to be targets for both sides.
One side note: the Pact of Umar is also the reason why the Egyptian Muslims go ballistic every time the Copts try to build a new church. According to the pact, no new houses of worship other than mosques can be built.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pact_of_Umar
This is the primary body of rules for the treatment of non-Muslims in Muslim lands under Sharia law. Among other things, it forbids non-Muslims to carry weapons. The concept of peace-keeping troops is unknown: armed "unbelievers" are automatically invaders and occupiers. It should be remembered that both the Sunnis and the Shias formed anti-American militias when we were in Iraq. If we send troops back in, they are going to be targets for both sides.
One side note: the Pact of Umar is also the reason why the Egyptian Muslims go ballistic every time the Copts try to build a new church. According to the pact, no new houses of worship other than mosques can be built.