IS a consequence of Iraq war, says Democratic candidate Martin O’ Malley

Democratic presidential candidate Martin O’Malley says the rise of IS was an unintended consequence of a “mindless rush to war” in Iraq and the US must avoid “mission creep” there now.

In a speech, the former Maryland governor said the invasion of Iraq was one of the most tragic and costly blunders in US history.

He made no mention of his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, who faced criticism during her 2008 presidential campaign for her Senate vote in favour of the 2003 invasion, which she has since called a mistake.

“No threat probably better illustrates the unintended consequences of a mindless rush to war — and a lack of understanding — than the emergence of ISIS,” O’Malley said in his first foreign policy address as a presidential candidate, using an acronym for IS.

He added: “We are still paying the price of a war pursued under false pretences and acquiesced to, in the words of Dr (Martin Luther) King (Jr) by ‘the appalling silence of the good’.”

Speaking to the Truman National Security Project, O’Malley said there is a risk that American military involvement in Iraq could be counter-productive. He said the US should work with partners to “contain, degrade and ultimately wear down and defeat ISIS”.

O’Malley said US foreign and national security policies are directly connected to global economic stability and a rising middleclass.

The former governor trails Clinton and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in the early stages of the Democratic primary campaign.