Middle Eastern experts said many Arabs believe the U.S. invasion in Iraq in 2003 led to the formation of ISIS. “The origins of ISIS are in Iraq, and the U.S. invasion and occupation created the conditions that made this possible, including de-Baathification and promoting sectarianism,” Mark Tessler, political science professor at University of Michigan, said, referring to the removal of the Baath Party from power.
“The majority of the Arabs think that the U.S. invasion to Iraq was a huge mistake, primarily driven by American interest in controlling the oil fields; and they perceive ISIS as a continuation of Iraqi Sunni insurgency,” said Mustafa Gurbuz, non-resident analyst at Arab Center Washington D.C., and adjunct professor in Arab World Studies program at American University.
Mustafa Gurbuz 
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