Dear Iraqis; those of you who are more or less secularists, Christians, Kurdish or even "moderate" Muslims,
I want to apologize. When America invaded Iraq in 2003 there were some Iraqis that actually saw this as a new dawn; as a time that would eventually allow Iraq to enter into the modern era. The non-war, military action called Operation Iraqi Freedom did free Iraqis from their despotic leader; Saddam Hussein. But Hussein was their leader. We can argue what constitutes a despotic leader; even in a place like the United States.
REVIEW
Just to review, the reason there is currently civil unrest in Iraq is because Islam has at least two major sects; Sunni and Shia. These groups fight over which group is following the true successors of Muhammad. The issue in Iraq is that Hussein was part of the Sunni minority yet he imposed his rule upon the majority Shia. When the U.S. helped set up the replacement government in Iraq, the elections allowed for the Shia majority to take control. Once the U.S. withdrew from Iraq in 2011, the Sunni have sought to regain control of the government.
A group calling itself Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant [Syria] (ISIS) which is mainly composed of Sunnis is leading the charge to displace Shia rule city by city. While this is going on, the Kurds; who are nominally Sunni are also moving into cities previously controlled by Shia.
Iran, which is mainly Shia, has offered and is helping the Iraqi government take back some areas from ISIS. This is an interesting turn, since historically Iran and Iraq have been enemies; mainly due to the Shia-Sunni difference in their governments. But now, with both Iran and Iraq having governments controlled by Shia, it is in Iran's interest to help the Shia of Iraq retain control.
