The issue of how the Islamic State arose has been an interesting development in the Republican presidential primary campaigns. It was sparked by a comment to Jeb Bush that his brother, George W. Bush, was responsible for the rise of the Islamic State. There is no single answer to the question but there should be little doubt that the Islamic State has a very large number of former Iraqi military and government officials who were disenfranchised by the invasion of Iraq in March 2003. In many respects, the Islamic State is merely an attempt by the former Sunni rulers of the state to regain their former power.
We have long suspected that Saudi Arabia and Israel have been talking to each other about the threat posed to each from Iran. But Saudi Arabia has never recognized the state of Israel and it would be supremely awkward for the two states to admit cooperation. But they have finally openly acknowledged their discussions in a meeting of the Council on Foreign Relations. The states have met in India, Italy, and the Czech Republic. In the speeches given by the two representatives, Anwar Majed Eshki from Saudi Arabia and Dore Gold from Israel, there was little question that both states consider Iran to be an enemy of the highest order. We will have to see if there is a public reaction to the information from citizens of both states who still regard the other as a prime enemy.
Vietnam is offering its citizens a patriotic cruise through the Spratley Islands ( or Truong Sa in Vietnamese). It is a six day trip through some of the most contested space on the planet. The promotional brochure for the cruise is unabashed in its patriotism:
“Traveling to Truong Sa … means the big trip of your life, reviving national pride and citizens’ awareness of the sacred maritime sovereignty of the country.”
“Tourists will no longer feel Truong Sa as far away, the blue Truong Sa ocean will be deep in people’s hearts.”
China and Vietnam have already exchanged fire among the islands and the historical relationship between China and Vietnam is competitive. The two states have fought many wars.
World Politics News 
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