The consequences of incorrect foreign policy decisions are paid for by innocent victims.
This is tragically and dramatically the case for vast numbers of Iraqis. A series of non-actions by the world community, including the premature withdrawal of American forces from Iraq, a failure to counter horrific human rights abuses in Syria, a softening of sanctions on Iran, and the nonresponse to the attack in Benghazi have all given confidence and opportunity to extremist forces to move forward, commit atrocities, and not fear more than token responses.
Vast numbers of Iraqis have been forced to flee from their homes due to ISIS’ practice of murder and torture of any who do not comply with their warped religious and political agendas. World cultural centers have been defaced and destroyed. Most dramatically, Children have been beheaded, and women and young girls have been raped and forced into sexual slavery on a massive scale by ISIS.
While the world verbally condemns this, it does little to actually counter it. The United States has abdicated its role as a world leader in the protection of human rights, the United Nations remains ineffective because too many of its members, including several of those on the Security Council, are guilty of their own human rights abuses and don’t want to establish a precedent of action.
The diplomats and politicians don’t endure the consequences of their mistakes. But across the Earth, people die, families are destroyed, and the cultural heritage of the planet burns.