While we've been distracted, ISIS has quietly been rebuilding. And, the Turks have been plotting to eradicate the Kurds. Latest reports say ISIS has rebuilt to a force of 18,000 troops albeit it fairly scattered and under-armed and supplied. But still a growing threat.

Perhaps even more alarming is the build up of Turkish troops on the borders of Syria and Iraq. With Russia's blessing and logistical support the Turks seem poised to invade and attack the Kurds. This will not be the first time the Turks have tried this. The previous two times the Turks got their azzes kicked by the Kurds, but apparently they grossly underestimated the capacity of the Kurds to defend themselves.

The worst beating of the two was a special forces brigade of Turks supported by attack helicopters and Russian jet fighters flying air cover. The Russian jets were never engaged in the fighting. The Turks sent 3,000 troops with some armored vehicles and the helicopters to attack a Kurdish position defended by a 600-man battalion. But the Kurds had been tipped off and the night before they reinforced the position and maneuvered troops on the flanks. The Turks found 5,000 Kurds ready and able to defend themselves. After being thoroughly whipped the Turks retreated and were pursued to the border. The Kurds took prisoners and released them a week later after questioning.

The Turks were embarrassed by the butt-kicking and vowed to try again, only next time with much superior forces. This was about a year ago now, and the US warned Turkey, and Russia, the Kurds would not be left to fight alone. But now, due to our troop withdrawals and shifting of emphasis to closer to Israel, and the fact that we, as a nation, have mostly moved on from the whole ISIS-Syria-Iraq affair, the Turks see an opportunity. They have moved two full divisions, 25,000 troops, to the border area of northern Syria. The Turks do have their own adequate air force and don't need the Russians, although Putin wants to be a part of it to give Russia a claim to territory there.

Keep in mind the real conflict here is the ancient ethnic "war" between the Turks and the Kurds. Turkey is really not interested in supporting Russian imperialism, and Turkey is not all that concerned about the rise of ISIS, except to keep that radical movement from crossing into Turkey. Their focus is keeping the Kurds in check. But the Kurds can't continue to hunt down and destroy ISIS if they have to defend against a Turkish attack.

Iran has helped to prop up ISIS with resupply and support. To this point ISIS remains mostly a terrorist organization, thanks to the Kurds not allowing ISIS to gather in large numbers. But thanks to Iran, ISIS now has bases, supply depots, and safe havens scattered throughout both Syria and Iraq.

We cannot afford to take our eye off this ball. The US, indeed, the West, needs to continue to support the Kurds who are doing the heavy lifting on the ground.