On Monday, Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Baghdad to assist and advise Iraqi leaders in maintaining government stability in the face of encroachment by the Sunni militant group ISIS in northern and western regions of Iraq (via Boston Globe).

“Iraq faces an existential threat, and Iraq’s leaders have to meet that threat with the incredible urgency that it demands,” Kerry stated after a heavily guarded meeting with officials. He suggested to the nation’s Shiite leaders that they form a government that is more inclusive to Sunnis to quell the insurgency. 

According to Kerry, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has committed to a July 1 date to convene parliament in order to choose a new government. His aggressive crackdowns on dissent, as well as a marked preference to work only with Shiites, have alienated Sunnis and Kurds and formed a basis of heavy concern by the West. 

Despite these proposed internal transitions and divided public opinion on U.S. intervention, Kerry has unwaveringly stated that the United States is willing and prepared to take military action to dispel the threat to Iraq’s stability. 

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