Obama warns Iraqi insurgency could spread across the region

Sunni insurgents continued to broaden their offense against the Iraqi government over the weekend, seizing control of the strategic border town of Al-Qaim while also claiming three other municipalities.

The four towns lie along the border with Syria, raising the dangerous possibility that their capture will allow the flow of more militants and support to creep into Iraq from the neighboring country. And in taking more ground, the ISIS insurgents strengthened their position from which to continue to battle the Iraqi government — and to cause the fight to seep over into other countries as well.

Hence, President Obama on Sunday warned that the U.S. had to be "vigilant generally" to ensure the conflict did not "spill over into some of our allies like Jordan."

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up