Iraq unravels!

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by icenine

Yeah but you cannot deny that the Kurdish sector has been a safe-haven during the last 15 years for American interests and investment in oil and business...

No question. A buddy of mine (a DoD engineer) spent quite a while in Irbil (and further north) during the Iraq War and really liked the people and the peaceful atmosphere up that way in contrast to a couple of my engineer buddies who were in the Green Zone during those same times.

[Rajoo]

Is this the beginning of a new Iraq war?

On this question, the President offered an emphatic no. “As Commander-in-Chief,” he said, “I will not allow the United States to be dragged into fighting another war in Iraq.”

https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/wor...leTab_Article_

[Tom Joad]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/...390_story.html

BAGHDAD — Aided by U.S. airstrikes, embattled Kurdish forces began to reverse a string of losses on Sunday, expelling Islamic State extremists from two northern Iraqi towns.

Makhmour and Gweir, the first areas targeted in the U.S. air campaign that began Friday night, were cleared of the al-Qaeda-inspired militants on Sunday, Kurdish officials said.

“It’s thanks to the strikes that we have been able to move forward,” said Mahmood Haji, an official in the Kurdish Interior Ministry. The Kurdish television channel Rudaw showed live footage of security forces advancing in Makhmour, and later crowding around a government building in the town, where the Kurdish flag had been raised once more.

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[nailer]

This is good news. I think the way to save Kurdistan is through Turkey, it's almost all about logistics. It would be a Western/Turk/Kurd alliance against hostile Arab interests. We, Germany, and Turkey share a recognized common interest against Russian aggression/expansion. The Kurds can take care of the infantry requirements with our air support and a secure supply line through Turkey. The Kurds have something tangible to fight for and Saladin was a Kurd.

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by finnbow

The trouble is that Baghdad wants that territory (along with its oil) as much as the Kurds do.

Plus our NATO ally Turkey is apprehensive re "Kurdistan".

[nailer]

Of course Turkey's apprehensive given that they rule a large portion of Kurdistan. A viable Iraq Kurdistan is in their best interest. A short-term outlook clouds this perspective.

[Tom Joad]

Originally Posted by Dondilion

Plus our NATO ally Turkey is apprehensive re "Kurdistan".

Originally Posted by nailer

Of course Turkey's apprehensive given that they rule a large portion of Kurdistan. A viable Iraq Kurdistan is in their best interest. A short-term outlook clouds this perspective.

So what?

We're the biggest Dawg on the block militarily.

We can do whatever the Hell we want and tell Turkey and whoever else objects to get stuffed.

That's what Bush did when he invaded Iraq.

And he got away Scott free.

And that was a Helluva lot bigger than us helping the Kurds get independence.

So as far as I am concerned Obama can be just as arrogant when doing the right thing as Bush was when he was fucking up.

[Rajoo]

There is a Bush still in the game. The aircraft carrier that the US war planes are flying out of is named USS George H.W. Bush.

[nailer]

Originally Posted by BeamOn

There is a Bush still in the game. The aircraft carrier that the US war planes are flying out of is named USS George H.W. Bush.

A WWII carrier combat pilot and decent President. Good name for a carrier.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Tom Joad

So what?

We're the biggest Dawg on the block militarily.

We can do whatever the Hell we want and tell Turkey and whoever else objects to get stuffed.

As phucked up as their current leader Erdogan is, Turkey is a key ally, occupying some of the most critical land in the world from a geopolitical perspective.