Is Paul Bremer the “Father of ISIS”?

Glenn Greenwald has called Paul Bremer the “Father of ISIS.” Greenwald’s comments were in reference to an Al Jazeera interview with the US Ambassador.

Bremer was the Administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority of Iraq (CPA) in 2003 and 2004. The CPA implemented the controversial “De-Ba’thification” of the Iraqi civil service during his tenure, which led to the expulsion of thousands of Baath Party members, mostly Sunnis, from government and education positions. He also oversaw the distribution of $12 million in cash in Iraq, of which at least $9 billion went unaccounted for. The resulting destabilization led to increased sectarian conflict which laid the foundation for ISIS’ formation and rise to power in Iraq.

Glenn Greenwald is well known for his reports detailing United States and British global surveillance programs, based on classified documents disclosed by Edward Snowden.