I agree on a Kurdish state though I'd prefer to turn the rest of the country over to an interim government quickly rather than wait around for elections. A MaArthur-style regency or UN rule makes no sense in this medieval, blood-feud hell hole.
I think we have to dress our checkpoint soldiers in body armor similar to what the bomb disposal cops/troops wear, or devise specific armor for the purpose of protecting our troops. The weight wouldn't be much trouble, as the checkpoint troops would be backed up by regular troops further away.
Nothing would be foolproof against a powerful explosion, but giving our troops a chance to survive an encounter with a suicide bomber should be a priority. If we don't, our troops are soon going to be drawing straws as to who has to perform the dreaded checkpoint duty.