The article is an excellent summary of the kind of complexity that seems to completely elude Mr. Bush and his advisers. He really does sincerely appear to sincerely believe that there is only political division in the world - you either like the US or you don’t. This cretinous, cartoonish geopolitical vision, which appears to define US foreign policy under Bush, is simply useless in the face of the Byzantine complexity of centuries-old, multilayer conflict in the middle east, in Afghanistan, between India and Pakistan.

One wishes that Mr. Bush would simply acknowledge his incomprehension and the utter failure of his “vision”, and join Osama Bin Laden hiding in a cave somewhere until he’s be turfed out of office in disgrace, before he does any more damage. Doesn’t look like that’s gonna happen.

The article is [a] summary of [] complexity that seems {speculation} to [] elude Mr. Bush and his advisers. He [appears] {speculation} to [] believe {imputed motivation} that there is only political division in the world - you either like the US or you don’t {of a false dilemma}. This [] vision, which appears {speculation} to define US foreign policy under Bush, is useless {simplistic assertion} [] in the middle east, in Afghanistan, between India and Pakistan.

[Balbulican] wishes that Mr. Bush would [concede to Balbulican’s assessment] and join Osama Bin Laden hiding in a cave somewhere until he’s be {ebonics} [granting Balbulican’s wish], before he does any more [Balbulican’s assessments]. Doesn’t look like that’s gonna happen.

Communications must be the art of making shit up.

“The surprising answer was given in secret briefings” - so much for secret. Not, of course, that the secret-breaking-source was ever named.

Balb & SL, you slam me for unnamed source quotes. Sauce for the goose and all that.

On topic of the gist of the article, IF it is all true and not a crock, then the situation could be pretty dicey in what has been a relatively quiet end of Iraq. Although why a Turk official would “admit” that Kurdistan could lay claim to a part of Turkey, then the gov’t make noises about a potential invasion with the purpose of what, exactly? … well, maybe western logic can’t apply.

“Balb & SL, you slam me for unnamed source quotes….”

Candace, I think you meant to direct that observation to SL, given that the article you’re referencing is being quoted by him, not me.

On the broader story, here’s what’s known. (This is not new stuff).

There is an active Kurdish liberation movement in Turkey and in northern Iraq. You will recall that Saddam destroyed a number of Kurdish villages? That’s why. The primary allegiance of a sector of the Turkish and Iraqi Kurdish population is to a Kurdish homeland.

Remember how the Taliban were “good guys” as long as they were fighting Russians in Afghanistan? Similarly, the Kurds were “good guys” as long as they were being oppressed by Saddam. Now they’re an incovenience, getting in the way of the fantasy of a united Iraq originally promised by Bush and Co. Like the Taliban, their objectives haven’t changed: but they’re not useful as poster victims any mored.

Turkey’s government is Islamist, but democratic and moderate, with a lot to gain by collaborating with the West (most notable the EU membership it desperately seeks). And the US desperately needs Turkish support in the region. So suddenly the world is, once again, not the neat little black and white morality play Bush seems to favour.