Abu Bakr is leading a group of Islamic hardliners and jihadists with a small group of Sunni extremists who wish to return to a position of power.
Using weaponry from the Iraq invasion and heavy armaments abandoned by poorly led Iraqi troops, the group ISIS has occupied an area stretching from Syria across Iraq and called on all Muslims to support its goal of an independent Islamic state in what is now a large part of Iraq and Syria.

Moderates of all Islamic sects want no part of this move toward a hardline Islamic state.

Iran is providing its brother Shias in Iraq with ground fighter planes and other armaments, and the government of Syria also is providing some help, including air strikes.

ISIS may have some support from Sunnis, but it is too hardline for the support to last.

Israel has announced support for an independent Kurdish state.

Iraq, with a Shia government that seems to not want help from Sunnis in Iraq nor the Kurds, seems too weak to do much, unless the U. S. makes the grievous mistake of doing more than providing advisors and some air strikes.

The map may eventually become more realistic, with independent Kurdish, Sunni and Shia states, the last closely allied with Iran.

The development of the situation, and its resolution, however temporary, will be interesting to watch, but "hands off," with the possible exception of air strikes against "caliphate" leaders, seems the best option at present.

Whether Israel will provide more than just verbal support to the Kurds also could have an important effect on the future of the region.