Press Release: Council conclusions on Iraq

The Council of the European Union adopted conclusions on Iraq at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, on the 23 June 2014, reflecting concern at the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Iraq.

The Islamic militia Isil took control of large swathes of Iraq within just a few days. Its goal was to set up an Islamic theocracy in the Middle East. Commentators in Europe and elsewhere discussed what could stop the jihadists?, and what impact it would have on radicalising various Islamic groups in European countries.

Others noted the increasingly overlapping nature of the disputes in Syria and Iraq.

• Primary Source

http://eeas.europa.eu/iraq/index_en.htm http://eeas.europa.eu/iraq/index_en.htm

Euro|Topics: Who's saying what: Islamists overrun Middle East http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/debatten/links_2014_06_isil/

Wikipedia: Caliphate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphate

BBC News, 30.06.14: Viewpoint: Isis caliphate a dangerous development http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28090386

ECFR: Commentary, 27.06.14: Syria and Iraq: One conflict or two? http://www.ecfr.eu/content/entry/commentary_syria_and_iraq_one_conflict_or_two280

The Guardian, 30.06.14: Isis announces Islamic caliphate in area straddling Iraq and Syria http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/30/isis-announces-islamic-caliphate-iraq-syria

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 05.07.14: An ISIS caliphate is bad news for Iraq, Syria and everywhere else http://bit.ly/1t7oKaC

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on Terrorism and Border Security http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-terrorism-and-border-security/

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