Iraq’s government appears to have lost control of its western borders, as militants with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have added the border crossing into Jordan to its collection of border crossings into Syria.  It gives ISIS control of vast territory from which to launch a well-supplied attack on Baghdad.

ISIS already controls most of northern Iraq, from Mosul down the Tigris River to within a stone’s throw of Baghdad.  It also holds territory along the Euphrates River – coming from Syria – including the Haditha Dam, which generates most of Iraq’s electricity. 

This comes as Iraq’s polarized blocs face some tough choices about coming together to form a unified government, or drifting even further apart.  US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected in Baghdad on Monday to lobby lawmakers to push them together.  A challenge, as some asked America for help fighting ISIS, while other reached out to Iran.  Kerry is also imploring wealthy Sunnis and Arab nations in the region to stop funding the ISIS fighters.