As the MH17 catastrophe unfolds across the world's media, this seems an opportune time to bring up something I was thinking about very recently: why are civil airlines flying over what are effectively warzones?

In particular, why does EK overfly ISIS-controlled territory in northern Iraq?

From an EK flight a few weeks ago, I could see that large chemical compound under attack (gigantic black plume of smoke rising from the desert) from my window, and we went right over Mosul which was already under ISIS control.

What MH17 brings to the table is stark proof that any complacency about "that won't happen" / "X doesn't have the necessary weaponry / intentions" is a very costly mistake. It has taken this unnecessary loss of life to make airlines re-route around the problem area.