What Would Victory in Mosul Look Like?

With the Mosul offensive underway in October 2016, discussion has largely focused on the eventual fate of Islamic State of Iraq and SYria (ISIS), once it is ousted from the city. Yet the most significant barometer of this offensive remains unanswered: what happens if a military victory by Iraqi and coalition forces is not followed by a political accord among Iraq’s competing players? The signs are not encouraging.

Politico, 18.10.16: European Security Commissioner: Mosul offensive could send ISIL fighters to Europe (et al) http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-security-commissioner-mosul-offensive-could-send-isil-fighters-to-europe/

ESO: Background information: 2nd EU-Iraq Cooperation Council, 18 October 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/2nd-eu-iraq-cooperation-council-18-october-2016/

ECFR: Podcast, 21.10.16: ECFR’s World in 30 Minutes: The battle for Mosul http://www.ecfr.eu/podcasts/episode/ecfrs_world_in_30_minutes_the_battle_for_mosul

Spiegel Online International, 22.10.16: On the Ground in Mosul. A Precarious Alliance Takes on Islamic State http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/battle-for-mosul-begins-in-iraq-against-islamic-state-a-1117779.html

ECFR: Commentary, 28.10.16: The battle for Mosul: So far so good http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_the_battle_for_mosul_so_far_so_good_7161

Al Jazeera: Tag: Battle for Mosul http://www.aljazeera.com/topics/events/battle-mosul.html

The Conversation, 07.11.16: Mosul will fall – but it may take a bigger US presence to force Islamic State out http://theconversation.com/mosul-will-fall-but-it-may-take-a-bigger-us-presence-to-force-islamic-state-out-68009

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