Kurds have all rights to establish mutually beneficial relationship with Friendly neighboring county such as Iran. And why should not they when Turkey, USA strategic partner which is supported by USA taxes payers continually threaten Kurds not only its own citizens but Kurds every where. History tells the Kurds that USA is not a dependable partner. The late General Mullah M Barznie, asked for USA support when he was fighting the Iranian forces at late 1940’s only to be turned down. The same leader was later betrayed by USA in 1975 when Kissinger blessed the Iran and Iraq sinister March agreement. America can not be great if it continually let her true friends down.

"they are with us or with the Iranians" This is a simple way of looking at the world. Not every decision falls in 1 of two categories. The answer is the kurds are with the kurds. It would be foolish to make enemies with there neihbors to benefit there relationship with us. Expecialy at a time when even George Bush knows that time is running out on this experiment called Iraq. Im not saying were not going to have a base or troops in the area for some time but it will not be the 100,000+ troops that are there now. The Kurds have been pretty much running there own country for over a decade now. The main thing they fought for during and after the invasion was Tikrit and other valuable assets (oil fields) that were not already under there controll. The Kurds need to look out for there own interest and they are. America is no different we look out for our own interest we just dont always agree on what those interest are. example IRAQ...

I'm sure W had this all sussed out in Feb '03. Eliminate a pest who we already had under our thumb, open a carnival of chaos for every anti-American, anti- Western malevolent nihilist to prosper in and open 2 doors for our most antagonistic nemesis to traipse through and oppose us directly, all the while making us look foolish, arrogant and clueless at the same time. Yep, we got 'em right where we want 'em. Or is it the other way around?

We will never forget what happened Sept 11, 2001. Terrorists did come into this Country and killed innocent people. But we are NOT taking the fight to the terrorist groups. They (the terrorists group), are BRING the fight to US, there in IRAQ. It's easier for them to fight us there than here (i.e. oceans, time & distances, and willing participants). We will have to fix what we broke, (CHINA SHOP RULE!)in IRAQ, before we can leave. To the 3000 plus family members, who have lost love ones, the terrorists may seem to be winning. Exactly, what course are we staying? Does anybody knows? We, (ALL BY OURSELVES), attacked a solvent nation, and removed a duly elected leader. The 200,000 dead IRAC people didn't ASKED US to do this for THEM. IS IRAN NEXT???

The evidence of Iranian complicity in the attack on and the killing 5 Americans at the military post is as viable as the WMD evidence. The Bush regime is trumping up false evidence, once again, in order to expand the war and satisfy the neocons. This is ludicrous. When will Congress stop the insanity?

I might be wrong but I could have sworwn this is how most wars are waged. The best example being us in the Russian-Afgan War. We pretty much won the war for the mujahadeen when we secrectly slid in Stinger missiles and the personnel to instruct the use of them. Without control of the skies it was pretty much lights out for the Soviets. Actually wasn't "lend-lease" an overt form of this warfare. It only makes sense from a national interest point of view that if you have something to gain from somebodies elses war than you'll either overtly or covertly make sure your dog in the fight has every edge you can provide.So whats the big deal? Just because its happening to us right now. Its the old double standard.

to all those people out there with some thought on this subject.You have to look back, when this nation and i mean the largest majority decieded to go to war in response to the attacks of 9/11.the terrorist stated one true fact that most of the world knows but we as a nation refuse to admit,is that.we as a people are to comfortable in our own lives,and dont have the stamina to see most things through.When the burden seems to inconvince us we cry to the politicans.then enters politics into a war zone.This is why this country didnt prevail in vietnam and with current mentallity we wont in the struggle agaisnt the terrorist.It is a shame our enemies know us as a nation better then we know ourselves. Further more the person that thinks the UN should enter a redraw the map of the world all he has to do is look back at a prevous issue of time magazine you can find they have that vision already.And suprisingly no one noticed or cared that the redivison of this country was the front page.Keep in mind the USA pays most of the UNs opperating budget we support most of there actions and they oppose almost every decission we make.the UN is not where this American places his trust.It is time we as a nation mean what we say ,do what we promise and forget the UN ,EU, and have our elected officals concern themselves with the people of this country

First off- Darrell in PA, get your facts straight. The coalition forces provided aid in Northern Iraq during & after the first Gulf War, and it continues to this day. How do I know? I WAS THERE. If the IGRC is operating in N. Iraq, they never bothered us... but the real point here is this. If they are operating in the North, well, that is a problem for the Kurds to handle. We have provided them with the means to an end, they merely have to execute the plan.

I have one question if Mexicans in Texas want Texas for themselves will US give it to them because they have been there for decades ? I don't think so, so why are some of these people expect Turkey or other nations to give their lands to Kurds, because they are US alias at his moment ? Ric apparently has no clue what is going on there, Kurds are not oppressed by atleast Turkey, they had a Kurdish president for god sakes and yet they lost alot more lives to terrorist attacks then US ever did. Talk about catering, it was US who restrained Turkey not to attack forcefully to Kurds, and yet when 9/11 happened there was no restraint on US part. I guess it is true that might makes right... Also how come nobody is asking why there is terrorist in the first place. Well perhaps after WWII French and the British who made up all those countries also ( directly or indirectly ) put those leaders or political groups together for the Arabic nations. While backing their leaders with money or promises they got cheap oil or whatever they wanted that suited their interests at the time. This lead to rich leaders, poor uneducated people. All they got from west was so called modernation, or sleazy clothing and porn for the poor and money for the so called leaders. What they want is democracy but without western secret agenda. They don't want west backed curropt leaders who horde all the wealth or morally curropt culture to develop. They want some pride and develop their own industries and feed their families which they are not getting a chance to, except for few lucky families. The only thing they can do to wake up people or to stop west interference is to become terrorist. I don't agree with it but if you are hungry and can't feed your family and frustrated enough what would you do under those cercumstences ???

As previously noted, it is not breaking news that there is evidence that there is support from Iran in the chaotic throes of a civil war in the Middle East when the Shia is involved. Iran is Iraq's neighbor. The borders have been reported as being like swiss cheese. Yet, Bush has another plan, or policy. In fact, there is a planned surge that will bring everyone to the table to come to a concensus. Right? Eventhough the American people voted otherwise in the midterm elections, the policy makers, and their respective political camps want to give this strategy or policy a go, or a "chance" to work. The policies thus far from the administration regarding the Iraq civil war have proven to have missed the desired effect of successfully restructuring Iraq, establishing peace, and leaving Iraq to the Iraqi people to completely tend to their own sectarian violence.

Winston Churchill stated years ago that “The best argument against a Democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter”. If you really want to understand the Iranian terrorists view the movie “Obsession” , which is available pre-release on the website www.ObsessionTheMovie.com

It seems to me that the only search for "truth" here has to be within each of us. What the other guys leaders and religious motivations are can probably be "argued" till...well, doomsday. What all you experts need to acknowledge is that the actions of YOUR leaders (and the results) truly reflect your own sense of values. If you are a member of the United States "democracy" and this administration's words and actions reflect your values, then I strongly suggest your vested interests far outweigh any values you fool yourself into thinking you have.

Gulf of Tonkin, Bay of Pigs, Somila, numerous others. Who was on watch when these occured. Stop blaming and start doing. Hanoi Jane is a work of Art, doing more damage than thousands of fire fights. Wake up people, see the reality, not the HollyWood world

Once again, Israel will have to do our dirty work for us. Israel has no choice but to take out Iranian reactors. They are threatened by obliteration and they realize we as a people don't have the stomach for it. We will come out against their strikes but will benefit from it and secretly hope for their success--I do!!

The kurds were not abandoned after Gulf war one. This was the no fly zone. The marsh arabs were the ones left to themselves. There are about 50 million Kurds in the Middle East The 50 million are in Iran, Iraq and Turkey. An independant Kurdistan would take part of each country. In the long run it would be best for everyone.

The USA should immediately abrigate any deals made with the Barbaric Turks until it's ( Islamic ) govt. relents it's treatment of it's minority ethnic people. Kurds, Assyrians, Greeks Armenians all have suffered terribly under Turkish rule ! USA should get the hell out of the Middle East; 'Yesterday' Old Yow

Actually, its `the Kurds who won this war. but what does it bode later with millions of Kurds in Turkey , Syria and Iran biting at the bit? Since `when has Bush ever appointed an outstanding performer? Never!, but this time, with a new commanding General and plan, I'm for giving the plan of action a chance

Simplifying complex social structures and political processes can sometimes be very misleading. The Kurds are not a uniform people. The Kurds in Iraq belong to tribal traditions and the political scenery is shaped after that. Barzani and Talabani were not only political rivals until very recently but they were tribal leaders whose followers constantly fought and killed one another for power. The Turkish Kurds are different. They enjoy the same rights as anyone else in Turkey. Through intermarriages, most citizens of Turkey carry mixed blood and it is up to the individual to call him/herself a Turk/Kurd/Arab/Turkoman etc. Most of the Turkish Kurds live in the bigger cities of Turkey and it is difficult to distinguish a Kurd from a Turk on the streets of Istanbul, or at the leadership of a corporation or elsewhere. The impoverished Southeast Turkey bordering Iraq, Iran and Syria is another area where a lesser number of Turkish Kurds live alongside Tuks, Turkomans and Arabs. Still, equal citizens, in poverty this time. The PKK, which is often mistaken for Turkish Kurds in the Western World, is, on the other hand a Marxist militant organization that has taken the lives of over 40,000 people in Turkey, including children and women. It is a terror organization and has been listed as such not only by Turkey, but also by the European Union and the United States.

Hey! How about giving part of US territory to Kurds then, if they are sooo good people. They can come and fill our cities with their Kurdish Pride gangs.

In response to Magnus, it should be noted that it is only the current administration of Iran that believes in as you put it "world domination with one religion". The people of Iran are split on support of the current administration. The majority of people under 30 in Iran are well educated and actually *PRO* American. I think to label the entire nation as "a pathetic backward country" is a bit naive.

I am amazed that virtually everyone just is just walking away from the Baker report like it never happened. How can anyone expect to solve problems without talking to your opponents? I don't know what steps can be taken to moderate the conflict but we have to take the interests of all parties into consideration. This includes Iran, Syria, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. We are not going to get anywhere without talking to all of them!

The US military is being misused and abused. We are not protecting and defending the Constitution in some one elses country. Whe 9/11 happened I said welcome to the war America how does it feel? My fellow Nam veterans said they should have flown the planes into Wall street. The use of our military as a geopolitical strategic tool reveals us as the mercs(mercenaries) we have become. We kill to keep Dick Cheney and his ilk fat. He and the rest of the chickenhawks should have volunteered with me for Vietnam. I have utter contempt for all who have not smelled and tasted death like combat veterans have and yet are eager to kill someones elses family. A Vietnamese veteran of 30 yrs of war, who fought the Japanese, French, Americans and Chinese said he sleeps well and has no nightmares, unlike his guilt ridden American peers. When asked why he said simply I was fighting for my own home.

20,500 more of our children to be used for this "commander & chief's folly! All his adult life, he's been given everything. He has never had to earn his place. Why do we,(The American people), allow him to take US were we don't want to go? Bill Clinton couldn't have gotten away with it.

The Kurds are between a rock and a hard place because they have no place of their own. With a population of Forty Million divided between Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria, they are the largest nation denied the right to exercise soverignty. Lack of independence is not for lack of trying; it is for lack of support. Our involvement with the Kurds should give them no reason for confidence in us. Not only did the first President Bush incite them to revolt and then abandon them to annihilation, Henry Kissenger and Gerald Ford did the same to the "Iraqi" Kurds in 1975, betraying the revolt which we had supported directly and by encouraging support from the Shah's Iran and Israel when the Shah felt the time for using the Kurds had ended because their revolt had forced the Ba'ath to concede the Shatt al-Arab waterway to Iran as the price for betraying the Kurds. The second President Bush went to great lengths to prevent a vote on Kurdish secession at the time of the Iraqi election, because reports indicated that 97% of "Iraqi" Kurds would vote for independence notwithstanding token Kurdish politicians in the current Iraqi government. The US has indicated that it would support the amendment of the current Iraqi constitution to reduce Kurdish autonomy if favored by Shi'ites. Four times in his most recent State of the Union message President Bush used terms to indicate his opposition to Kurdish independence. All of this despite the fact that not only did the Kurds rise in 1991 against Sadam when called upon to do so by the US, but in the Second Iraq War, Kurdish Peshmerga forces took the place of US infantry when our Turkish allies refused to permit American forces to use Turkish airfields to base and to use Turkish territory to stage an invasion of Iraq from the north while allied forces advanced from the south. It was the Turks who exposed our troops to additional danger; not the Kurds. Our most recent betrayals of the Kurds in Iraq pale compared to President Regan's support of Sadam during the Iran-Iraq War, which Sadam used as cover to commit the genocidal Anfal campaign against the Kurds, razing their villages, slaughtering their people and livestock, poisoning future generations with biological weapons and poison gases (the "poor man's atom bomb"), while we did nothing to protect or help the Kurds. The execution of Sadam before the Anfal trial ended ensured that he would not be convicted of his crimes against the Kurds and that American and international complicity need not come to light. Nor is our record any better with respect to the Kurds of Iran, Turkey or Syria. We refused to support the Kurdish Mahabad Republic formed on Iranian soil because it had Soviet support. We have maintained our silence about Turkish genocidal crimes against Kurds in Turkey in order to preserve our Turkish alliance. The drivel above about Kurdish "equality" in Turkey ignores the fact that use of the Kurdish language, dress, flag, or other indications of ethnic/national identity are criminalized and punished severely. Also ignored are the Turkish campaigns of the 1930's-1940s, which violently transferred large portions of the Kurdish population from Northern Kurdistan to western provinces of Turkey to prevent the coalescing of Kurdish pro-independence forces. The violence of the PKK is but nominal repayment for Turkish crimes against the Kurds; about which we remain silent. Indeed, all of the blood shed by the Kurds in their revolution for independence pales besides the Kurdish blood shed by the Turks to maintain their occupation of Northern Kurdistan. That occupation violates the original peace Treaty signed by the Allies with Turkey to end World War I, a war in which the Turks allied with the Germans against the West. The Turkish occupation of Northern Kurdistan is far more illegal, and has lasted far longer, than the Israeli occupation of mandatory Palestine, about which so many tears have been shed above. If we want the Kurds to stand up to the reactionnaries in Tehran, we should help them obtain land to stand upon. The Kurds and only the Kurds have consistently supported our efforts in the Middle East. Only Kurdistan and Israel, and to a lesser extent Turkey between military coups, have established working democracies in the Middle East, the encouragement of which we purport to be our policy and the policy which will end Islamic extremism somehow. Only the Kurds have been willing to stand behind us no matter how often we betray them. Only an independent Kurdistan, in all of its territory, which includes the oil-rich north of "Iraq", will be able to remain a real ally of the US, based upon shared principles. If we are to prevent the shedding of American blood in Iraq from having been in vain, we should commit ourselves to working for American ideals and American interests. We should abandon the British imperial creation of "Iraq", the Franco-British imperial creation of "Syria", and support for the illegal Turkish occupation of Northern Kurdistan and the Iranian occupation of South-eastern Kurdistan, and work to create an independent and democratic Kurdistan in the territory which the Kurds have occupied for centuries. We should permit neither Arab nor Turkish xenophobia and racism from preventing the creation of a non-Arab/non-Turkish state within the area that the Arabs or Turks demand for themselves, and from preventing the creation of an independent Kurdish state in all of Kurdistan.

The more this issue is discussed the more confused I become. I can't seem to get past certain basic questions. I have six of them -- the fourth pertains directly to your Kurdish blog. Maybe you can help. First, even though Osama is a cousin in the Arabian aristocracy, and 17 of the 19 "9/11" conspirators were Arabian, our government allies itself with Arabia -- why? Second, isn't the Sunni vs. Shi'a conflict in Iraq just the old Arabia vs. Persia feud, by proxy? Also, three: Why didn't the U.S. declare the "Southern No Fly Zone" an international protectorate, even if the U.S. had to man it alone? That would keep the buffer between Arabia and Iran -- and wasn't that the reason the League of Nations created Iraq in 1922? But, mainly, four: Why doesn't the U.S. encourage a Kurdish national congress, and a Kurdistan, composed of Kurds in northern Iraq and Kurds in northern Iran? This country could cooperate with Uzbekhistan, and maybe even Afghanistan (who has no trading partners) in establishing natural gas and petroleum pipelines to eastern Europe, thus stopping the Russian-Iranian monopoly. Am I the only one who thinks military operations and diplomatic negotiations (e.g., no. four, above) go hand in hand, like good cop/bad cop? Six, and last: Has anyone thought of encouraging the Iraqi Sunni to use their mercantile skills in a direct challenge to the Israeli marketers? The "central zone" of Iraq has no natural resources to speak of, but could become a nation of traders. It's been done before. Thanks.

m of 5 to ten years. Other countries would follow our example which would force the oil producing countries to develop other industries for sources of income. western expertise and investment would be sought and welcomed. an example is what happened with china starting with nixon ending our estrangement. today china and the US have such interdependency that the idea of a war is exceedingly remote. our real emphasis should be on the tremendous power of our country to accomplsh a goal we believe in. Cutting off the oil revenues to the oil producers would force major changes in those countries which would have great benefit to all of our countries. Leaders like Putin, Chavez and the near east toublemakers cannot sustain themselves without their oil revenues. An immediate tax of $2.00 per gallon dedicated to alternative energy sources would be a hardship for most of us but would probably have us energy indepen dent in 5 years. No pain- no gain. We need some vision and leadership to accomplish this. So far I don't see any in the congress or administration but I have tremendous faith in the american people when they have a goal that they understand is for all our benefit. When pearl harbor was attacked we all went to war and sacrificed at home as well as in uniform. Right now the only sacrifice is being made by our troops and our children or grandchildren that will have to pay the trillions of debt if in fact they can.

one thing i can say is they the enemy is laughing at us. we are not fighting by the same rules. when we fight by by their rules we will then win the war.

>>the Kurds will have to decide which relationship means more. You can’t have it both ways.<< Oh yes they can. Unlike naive, silly Americans clinging desperately to principle, the Kurds and Shia act shrewdly in their own national interest. So let me recap: the US went to war to depose Iran's sworn enemy, the Sunni Ba'athist government of Saddam, only to replace it with two stalwart Iranian allies. Now the good colonel is shocked, SHOCKED, that the Shia and Kurds take advantage of this alliance to fight the Sunni insurgents. All I can do is shake my head at such naive, muddled thinking from a supposed expert.

Use your common sense. Since Iran leader is a terrorist, do you think he would really care his people's life? That is why he easily send his naive & ignorant & brainwashed people to kill ?

you can sit here and act like this is a little problem you are not realizing that you can't just go into a country and just kill it leader and walk away i beleave when it happens we will be seeing a nother Sep 11 these people needed some one like saddam to keep them in check now you have ever one saying they want there own contry but just one reminder that Arabian people specialy the sunni muslims will not allow it there are 1.4 Bill muslims in the world and 90% of it is sunni you do the math

Mexico could so invade us right now. Sure we'd kick em out eventually as enlistment would go up at an exponential rate, but we are like so wide open here. Looks like world war 3 is definately cooking. It's pretty scary, but I'll make sure I have a good seat.

My knowledge of history tells me that the Kurds should be encouraged to secede from Iran at this juncture. A move of this sort would create a similar precedent for Iraq. The United States has a golden opportunity to help the Kurds to carve their own state in exchange for a permenent military base. Otherwise, the Kurdish question will fester for another half century to the detriment of peace. I can't see why the Kurds would spurn such an initiative which is undoubtedly in their interest!

The Kurdish people welcome USA and they love American people. The Arab, Turk and Persian are anti USA and anti Kurdish people. Since the Kurdish people support USA and USA should stand with Kurds support their freedom. The Kurdish-speaking people, whose homelands stretch from Iran to Syria and eastern Turkey. The Kurd are located in one large geographical area across Turkey, Iran, Syria and Iraq. The Kurdish population In Turkey is about 15-20 Million, in Iran is about 10 Million, in Iraq is about 6 Million and Syria is about 3 million. We us American people need to stand with their freedom and democracy in the Middle East.

A Sunni government in Iraq would mean being able to keep Iran in check without having to start another war in the region.

hugh many countries have nukes Thank You

chis if they are so peacfull why do the mave children running around with automatic weopons and teching them in school to hate and kill anyone different. And why do they kills their rival muslims when tthere is outsiders they could join together to fight?

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