Man, do we owe the Kurds a [bleep]-load.

I'm thinking more and more that these guys deserve their own country. And Turkey can FOAD.

File this under "another chicken-little warning that never came to fruition". The more of these things that don't happen, the better and better this White House looks.. The results have so far been nearly completely at odds with all the neysayers..

Btw, Chuckg, don't forget how bad the Turks got screwed in GW1. Its not for nothing they are still pissed at us. Their economy has *never* recovered despite our promises to help them back then.

They suck re: the refusal to grant us land invasion rights, but they also should be cut some slack here.. Some.. They are not France and they are also an important ally to Israel.

Ed, you are feeling that, but clearly you aren't thinking this through.. I am constantly amazed at how many pro-war people, whom I mostly agree with, are so unknowledgable about the Turks and our relationship with them.

Ben, that's good insight, but it's hard to not root for the Kurds. For all of the good in our relationship with the Turks, they treat their own Kurds like crap, much less the Iraqi Kurds.

Representative Republic is the only solution. Just like Texas wouldn't want New York's government, the Kurds need some autonomy. These guys will all be Republicans ;-)

hey noah climb back on your boat shut the door and when we want enlightenment and to be corrected by mr wizard the historian we'll knock.

I _like_ the Kurds.

If I'm ever lucky enough to be able to afford an overseas vacation, I'll travel over there and spend my tourist dollars in Kurdish Iraq.

eh, not necessary aby to get fresh man.. We can't all walk in lockstep, even though most of us agree on this blog.. Surely we can do with some variety and the ability to air ideas here no?

Also, Cowboy Bob I agree. In terms of rooting, the Kurds are definitely favored here, but don't forget they are not angels, they had their history of terrorism.

I understand the desire to root for a good guy wherever we can. I feel that too, I'm just saying that our policies going forward will require help from places like Turkey, they are a very bright spot in this region, despite their many imperfections..

I don't think these are flamable or trollish ideas I'm posting..

I'm with Cowboy Bob on this one...well except for the last part. CB, please, feel free to take our state and city government. I'll even throw in some ( a lot) of bon-bons.

aby normal : personally, I'm always willing to listen to anyone who might have something to teach me. OK, so I know a heck of a lot more about certain subjects than most people. But even in those areas I'm still ignorant, and willing to learn. May I recommend this attitude?

FWIW the Kurds (after many decades of trying terrorism with conspicuous lack of success) are now playing things smart. We Owe Them, and every day that goes by with them helping us out, we owe them more. Our behaviour towards them will serve as an example to others, for good or ill.

We also owe the Turks too, for many favours granted in the past. This is not easy. Turkey /= France.

Ben, you're not out of line with your posts at all.

Rose, you just gave me an idea. Rather than launching military action against Syria, we'll insert Hillary Clinton into their political system.

CB, just let me know where to sign up for that :-)

Barzani was on TV, being interviewed in a field. "Will the Kurds comply with American requests to leave?" asked the reporter. "Tomorrow the Peshmerga are {beat} out of here, yes."

Imagine that. A Middle East leader who knows how to be blunt, rather than oleaginous.

They know that the Arabs who moved into Kirkuk and Mosul have already left. Families can return to claim their property, and the cities will have Kurdish majorities again.