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The Turks know they are putting the US in a very difficult position. We cannot be sending our troops against Turkish troops

I was leaning toward that direction also. It is not the military might that is the driver in the Turk equation, but they are an ally to varying degrees. So it would be disastrous to engage the Turks militarily to oppose their incursion into Iraq. In effect the hands are tied somewhat for the US.

I was thinking along the same lines for the Russian factor also, it is not the huge edge we have on the battlefield that is the driver, but the what greater consequences may arise if they also come into the arena and we oppose them militarily. Once again our hands are tied to a degree.

Remember when Russia rolled a division into Bosnia, or was it Kosovo?

RW

Your comments obviously bolster what a number of us must be thinking. This situation is very touchy to say the least. So many factors must be carefully examined before any form of action can be initiated. Surely the US and Turkey are confering over the issue for the past few years.
I continue to think that with the Russian's gas/oil industry being as it has now developed into a key player, and of course controlled by Moscow, the Turks are put in a position of using the US and Russians for their gain.
We have clearly seen, Turkey has not shown it's allegience to the NATO community as well as to the US in particular.
The thumbs down by the European community to allow them access into the EU, most likely has soured their enthusiasm with dealing directly with the "west".
This centuries long struggle between tribal/cultures in the Turkish/Syrian/Iraqi border areas puts Turkey in a position to wheel and deal, with little fear of losing either politically or materially. They sense they can be in the driver seat for a while.
The little I have read in the past year or so regarding their desires to do business (commercial enterprises) with Iraq's northern provinces is one ace they hold in their deck.
Grant one the ongoing issue regarding tribal problems may fester leading to aggravated border clashes with minor intervention from the Turkish forces on the north and Iraqi forces on the southern side of the line, I tend to think the long term establishment of good relations between these two countries with the mind of economic gain, shall prevent any serious military actions coming to past.
Now that Iraq has become somewhat democratized and is actually working with the US and coalition, the Turks may just not want to screw up the conditions that can eventually lead to them making big money in the way of joint Iraqi/Turkish business ventures.
I'll leave us with the following question that obviously will go unresolved for the time being. How serious is Iraq into becoming a NATO member.