June 22, 2004

Kurdish Intrigues

Israel's Plan B? So sayeth Sy Hersh.

Laura Rozen is right, however, to inject a contrarian note given robust Israeli-Turkish relations.

If not, can a Syrian-Turkish rapprochment be far behind (you gotta Kurdish problem? No, I've gotta a Kurdish problem....)

P.S. Don't forget us!

Oh, don't miss Turkish Foreign Minister's Abdullah Gul's non-denial on the Israel-in-Kurdistan story:

Reminded of New Yorker magazine's claim about Israel's joint activities with Kurds in north of Iraq, Gul said, ''we have been closely monitoring all developments in Iraq. Several news and information come from time to time. We make necessary warnings about them. Everybody knows about our sensitivities especially regarding Kirkuk. Everybody knows well that we absolutely won't allow any fait accompli there.''

"Everyone", in roughly descending order of concern (in terms of their current influence/roles) for Gul, are likely: 1) Americans; 2) Kurds; 3) Shi'a and Sunni (vis-a-vis contributing to a unitary state outcome); 4) Iran (as 3); 5) Israel; 6) Syria; and 7) Turkomen (don't get in trouble brothers!).