Article on the plight of Christians in Iraq and Syria, with an interesting point (middle east, soldiers)

[tablemtn]

Something often forgotten in the various debates over the Iraq war:

Christians under threat in the Middle East

This wave of persecution began not with IS but when Britain and America invaded Iraq in 2003 to topple Saddam Hussein. Under his rule, Christians were free to worship and played a full role in this society.

"Saddam's era was the golden age for Christians," said Father Douglas, although he adds that he did not personally agree with Saddam's rule.

Iraq's prewar Christian population was reduced by about 2/3rds between the 2003 invasion and the 2011 US withdrawal. That was the mass-exodus. The troubles today are afflicting the 1/3rd remnant which stayed behind, but even without all of that, Christianity in Iraq had already been mostly dismantled. And that happened during the active presence of US, British, and coalition soldiers.

It was symptomatic of the general poor planning of that war. Obviously sectarian violence is always a risk when you "intervene" in a multi-sectarian country. Obviously Christians, Yazids, and others could be placed at risk in a postwar upheaval. Obviously there ought to be a plan to deal with that.

And yet... there was none.

So when people today bleat about undertaking more "interventions" in the Mideast, Persia, and so on, you have to wonder... what are they failing to plan for this time?

[sxrckr]

I don't think it's forgotten; I think most people know that was a real screw up.

The article also mentions the Arab Spring as having a similar effect.

[DRob4JC]

From the article...

As the Western coalition failed to provide security for Iraq, it descended into chaos and Christians became victims of the ugly sectarian power struggle unleashed between Shia and Sunni Muslims.

Three things

1- Yes we messed that up. A vacuum was created and the ISIS types filled the void. The same thing is happening here from a religious standpoint. Christianity is being removed - it will be replaced by something.
2- They said they want help to relocate out of Iraq. The border is open - come on in. We will leave the lights on for you. Finances... ? We're broke sorry.
3- This is part of what Jesus predicted in the Bible in Matthew 24. "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name." The world is definitely heading in an anti-Christian direction.