November 12, 2006
All Quiet On the Northern Front?
Well, watch Kirkuk, of course.
Posted by Gregory at November 12, 2006 03:17 AM
This very link is what I worried about as the internal dynamics of the Iraqi civil war continue to sping out of the control of the major players, both foreign and domestic, and assumes a momentum that no one really anticipated.
> and assumes a momentum that no one really anticipated.
The Turkish threat of invasion to prevent separatists Kurdish "problems" is one of the most obvious and anticipated parts of the ongoing developments! The warnings were never subtle or hidden, and it was obvious to expect in any case.
Move a sizable portion of U.S. troops to Iraqi Kurdistan with a commitment from the Iraqi Kurds that in exchange for U.S. protection from the Turks--they will protect the rights of Turkmans in their territory, will not harbor or support Turkish Kurds in their actions against the Turkish government, and look forward to a productive relationship with their northern neighbors. An oil pipeline flowing frim Kirkuk north might also help.
So long as Iraqi Kurds are not a threat to them, the Turks will focus their attentions on the Syrians and especially the Iranians.
We would have troops and airbases in friendly territory ready to act on any al Qaeda elements that might pop up in Anbar. It would also discourage any direct Iranian action in the South.
Not perfect, but workable.
