[marron]

I like the idea of an independent Kurdish State - a reward to the Turks for their loyalty.

I do too. Really, to prevent one would take some real diplomatic sleight-of-hand, and a fictional "autonomy" that would fool no one. If the Turks aren't with us, then the fiction becomes unnecessary.

I propose our Turkish bases be relocated to Kirkuk and Mosul. And our German bases relocated to Baghdad and Basra.

[ApesForEvolution]

"I propose our Turkish bases be relocated to Kirkuk and Mosul. And our German bases relocated to Baghdad and Basra."

The ME players all are realizing how irrelevant they will become when our ME base of operation is Iraq. And, the sponsors of terrorism, i.e., the Saudis, Syrians, Iranians...we're right in the middle of them all, within easy striking range of Ashcanistan, Pakistan, the Southern Persian Gulb and North Africa. Boy, Saddam sure is dumb...

[Lobster 6]

Agreed. I wonder if DEBKA is correct or spoofing. The real threat is Islamist expansion.