I read with interest the article “Time to treat the cause” (Nov. 25) by Osama Al-Sharif. I fully agree with the views expressed by the writer. Without eliminating the cause, we cannot effectively eliminate terrorism and extremism. First of all, Iran should be taken to task for its interference in the Arab world. Iranian influence in Iraq has turned the country into a cauldron of chaos. Sectarian policies of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki have played a major role in creating unrest in the country and forced the disenfranchised Sunni population to take up arms or to extend support to the lesser evil.