"Iraq is no more": Congress, Pentagon coming to terms with three-way split

Carter said the Defense Department does consider a future that involves three Iraqs, not one. The nation could be split into a Kurdish, Sunni and Shiite territory if Iraq’s central government cannot convince Sunnis and Kurds they will be an inclusive and protected part of a unified Iraq.

“What if a multi-sectarian Iraq turns out not to be possible?” Carter said. “That is an important part of our strategy now on the ground.

“If that government can’t do what it’s supposed to do, then we will still try to enable local ground forces, if they’re willing to partner with us, to keep stability in Iraq, but there will not be a single state of Iraq,” he added.