June 30, 2014 | Quote
Why ISIS Won’t Take Baghdad
…
Mideast expert Jonathan Schanzer of the US-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies says ISIS lacks the manpower to hold Baghdad even if it could succeed in storming the capital.
“Strategically for ISIS, invading Baghdad would therefore seem like a mistake,” says Schanzer. But he adds the caveat, “We also don't know what kind of quiet support it enjoys from the disaffected Sunnis — former Baathists are said to be among ISIS base of support — who could help the group conquer and hold the seat of power in Iraq.”
…