Turkey to attack Iraq

Very problematic. The Kurds have historically been a thorn in everyone's sides for a long time, and to think them true allies of the US would be a mistaken read. They are for themselves, and we're simply the enemy of their enemy. They're like the Mujahadeen of the Afghan/USSR conflict, who later turned into the Taliban. We backed the Muj, if you'll recall, and supported them with money and supplies, including arms. They certainly didn't turn out to be US allies.

Turkey has been an ally, and certainly has the right to defend their own territory, and go after folks attacking them. We'd certainly do the same thing, and arguably are.

Frankly, I think my approach would be different from yours (big surprise). I'd get out of the Turks' way. Let them do what they need to do. The sectarian conflicts in that region go very deep, and way back. We get in Turkey's way, and not only will we not have gained a thing vis-a-vis the Kurds, but we'll have also alienated a pretty dependable ally, the Turks.

That's a no-win strategy.

Your way may be good; it just seems like if we can do something to avoid any violence without pissing off Turkey, it would be in our interest.

Shoot, the Kurdish region is the best functioning area of Iraq right now, and do we want to plunge something that's working into further chaos? But we can't, in the interest of order, allow an area we are occupying to be a terrorist staging ground!! It goes against everything we say we are doing if we let that happen.

The very worst thing we could do is get aggressive with Turkey about this. They are a better and more long-standing ally than the Kurds.

It's not that I have no sympathy for the Kurds. I can understand why a distinct people with their own language and culture would crave their own state. But that's Turkey's issue to deal with and none of our business, and while I may have sympathy for their cause, terrorism is not the way to achieve your goals.

Like I said, problematic.

The Kurds are basically a desert nomad group historically, and have had problems with Turkey, Iraq and Iran. They've agitated for a loooong time for their own "homeland", which would require any or all of those countries to give up territory, which simply ain't gonna happen. The Kurds range over a very large area, and have never considered themselves part of any recognized country.

But, again, they have no great love for US, either.

Sunnis and Shias got along just fine before we were there. There was some mild animosity, but it was no different than the mild racial animosities we have in the U.S.--there are die-hard racists, but it's also not uncommon to see mixed couples (especially in my particular neck of the woods).

The problem was the utter lack of law and order after we took out Saddam. There was a void, and nature abhors a vacuum. The sectarian militias filled that gap. Most Iraqis don't really like them, but when you have nothing else...the militias rose to power much like organized crime organizations rose in the U.S. and elsewhere--they would provide security when no one else would, even though decent people despised them.

The problem now? There is a strong nationalist movement (just look at the reaction of the Iraqi Parliament to our Senate's resolution to partition Iraq). Problem is, those aren't the people we are supporting...why? Well, the strong nationalists don't particularly like being occupied, and getting rid of us is there number one goal.

So even though they are the best chance for a stable Iraq, we are trying to keep them from power.

It's time to step out. Our presence there is causing mre problems than it is solving. We need to have a small force for support--we can't let there be a bloodbath. What we need to do is approach the nationalists, the anti-militia folk, and ask them what they would like for us to do, and see if there is a solution we can work with.

You know how when you were a kid and fought with your sibling, how your parents' interventions almost invariably made it worse? How you just had to work it out yourselves?

The Iraqis need to do that. If we want a free Iraq, we have to let there be a free Iraq--and that means ending our occupation

.....I'm in favor of a pro-American Kurdistan ...it's perfect strategic location for American bases...Turkey has been a pain since the Ottoman Empire and Iran has been a pain since Alexander kicked Darius around ...the Kurds should have their own Country and America should help them get it .....COLOSSUS

We should reward terrorists?

Kurdish terrorists have killed 30 soldiers and police officers with hidden bombs in the past month.

Why should Kurds get their own territory and Palestinians should not? They've employed the same methods.

Also, please elucidate just exactly how Turkey has been a pain. Allies are never perfect, but Turkey's our only one in the Middle East. And if you think that Kurdistan would be a better ally than Turkey, you clearly don't know much about the history of the Kurds and the PKK.

We should foster Iraqi nationalism, not separatism. It's our only hope for a stable country. A Kurdistan would be incredibly unstable, and would destablize Iraq even MORE than it already is.

But I am 22 weeks pregnant, have a toddler, have energy-intensive hobby AND work with water issues in Georgia. Half the time I don't have the time and energy to eat.

But I am still lurking. One day, maybe I'll have free time again...

.....Very good comeback AG ...since Liberals generally do not have a sense of humor I'll give you bonus points ...

.....Actually when I was in my prime I had to beat the ladies off with a stick ...nowadays when I think about sex it is the past tense ...

.....My point was that the same arguement that justifies abortion (her body - her choice) could be made for prostitution which is still a States issue but is almost universally illegal ...

.....Personally the Libertarian in me thinks that legalizing prostitution would solve a lot of problems ...one benefit is that State regulation of a legal activity (sex) would cut down on the spread of STD's and abortions ...both good things ...

....Sex-ed in schools could provide field trips to get instruction from experienced pros ...a couple of trips to the Bunny Ranch would accomplish much more than would be possible in a stuffy old classroom .....COLOSSUS

BTW how's little Calliope doing? My daughter is expecting her first child (a girl) in Feb .....COLOSSUS

I've never seen a good argument in support of making prostitution illegal...it's a finer line than we want to admit, anyway. Women have been exchanging sex for all sorts of items of value since prehistoric times. It's commonplace for women to exchange sex for wining and dining, for kewelry, for nice vacations, etc. Yet when it comes down to cash, it's suddenly horrible? How many women out there give men a little something so they will help them pay their bills? How is that not prostitution? Prostitution is widespread and is mostly socially acceptable, as long as you don't take too much cash. It's silly.

Now, I am not condoning prostitution of course, of either the illegal or customary legal varieties. But I think it's very hypocritical for women who put out for men they don't really care for so they could get showered with presents to sniff at prostitutes (and by the way the mothers at my daughters school talk about their husbands, I am surrounding by tat kind of prostitute).

Calliope's doing great, talking a mile a minute and imitating everything I do, so I have to watch myself very carefully ...

Congrats on the grandchild! My mom says the second round (grandparenting) is WAY more fun than the first one :).