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12. No one's saying they do all this altruistically, with no interests of their own.
Wed Oct 9, 2019, 12:35 PM
Oct 2019

And in their situation, who wouldn't struggle for independence? WE sure would.

They're a distinctive people - not Sunni Arab, not Shiite Arab, not Persian, and not Turkish - numbering 35 to 40 million people, and are frequently heavily oppressed by their host nations. (Not that unlike how Jews were before... 5 million? secured Israel.) And Kurds are among the most modern and moderate culture in the region. They even treat women like actual fellow human beings.

After our idiotic invasion of Iraq, Joe Biden in I think it was 2003 or 2004 argued we should probably help the Kurds establish an independent nation out of their Kurdish territory in northern Iraq.

I favored that idea then, and still favor it today. A moderate, democratic, Muslim ally with relatively modern and non-misogynistic sensibilities in that region. Imagine that!

Iran Iraq Syria and Turkey would all hate it and kick up a fuss. Too bad is my reaction. If anybody came after them, though, if we kept the skies above them clear, a free Kurdistan would likely be able to defend itself. After the Israelis they are the most motivated, proven, and effective fighters in the neighborhood.

Big K&R. nt tblue37 Oct 2019 #1
That makes it all even worse. The Velveteen Ocelot Oct 2019 #2
A guest on CNN with knowledge of this said the Kurds did 95% of the fighting. nt Mike 03 Oct 2019 #3
Creating new foes from allies... N_E_1 for Tennis Oct 2019 #4
aside from Congress, need UN (starting w/General Assembly) to act cloudythescribbler Oct 2019 #5
What do you think the UN General Assembly dumbcat Oct 2019 #22
The damage is already done. groundloop Oct 2019 #41
I view the conflict with ISIS as an extension of the regime change in Iraq pecosbob Oct 2019 #6
No one's saying they do all this altruistically, with no interests of their own. SuprstitionAintthWay Oct 2019 #12
Agreed pecosbob Oct 2019 #13
We didn't carve it out in Iraq because Turkey and Syria objected bigbrother05 Oct 2019 #15
The common assumption is parts of Iran Turkey and Syria would also try to break away. SuprstitionAintthWay Oct 2019 #16
and we would need allies? stopdiggin Oct 2019 #18
I don't have a handy source to link for this, but my understanding is SuprstitionAintthWay Oct 2019 #20
The ME is so F'd up...a new country will just create more problems. LeftInTX Oct 2019 #24
They have oil. SuprstitionAintthWay Oct 2019 #25
Just hold on for awhile... llmart Oct 2019 #32
Kick and recommend for truth. bronxiteforever Oct 2019 #7
100% Midnightwalk Oct 2019 #8
K&R WhiskeyGrinder Oct 2019 #9
The Kurds are badasses superpatriotman Oct 2019 #10
K&R smirkymonkey Oct 2019 #11
Amen. orangecrush Oct 2019 #14
Out in front, protecting the world from ISIS. lagomorph777 Oct 2019 #17
Turn the impeached tRump over to the KPN Oct 2019 #19
That would make America great. gordianot Oct 2019 #23
When did we stop honoring our fallen comrades? FakeNoose Oct 2019 #43
another big K&R. demigoddess Oct 2019 #21
Richard Engel posted a link earlier in the week about the the Kurdish fighting force. Worth a watch. Pepsidog Oct 2019 #26
+1000 Anon-C Oct 2019 #27
just like we did in afghanistan. mopinko Oct 2019 #28
trump is a traitor to everyone Hermit-The-Prog Oct 2019 #29
Btw I'm not Kurdish myself, and if I even know any Kurdish-Americans SuprstitionAintthWay Oct 2019 #30
What he's done is sickening. Karadeniz Oct 2019 #31
+100000000000000000000000000000. roamer65 Oct 2019 #33
You're conflating talking heads and u.s. special ops forces. they know the Kurdish fighters Kurt V. Oct 2019 #34
Our special forces talked with constantly and knew the Kurdish soldiers personally, yes, absolutely. SuprstitionAintthWay Oct 2019 #37
K&R Cetacea Oct 2019 #35
K&R hay rick Oct 2019 #36
K&R. dchill Oct 2019 #38
K and R. warmfeet Oct 2019 #39
K&R for a post that puts things in perspective Ohioboy Oct 2019 #40
I wonder how many of our other alais will say NO the next time we ask for their help? napi21 Oct 2019 #42
K&R Scurrilous Oct 2019 #44
Great post, TY. appalachiablue Oct 2019 #45
K & R ... + 1,000,000. Facts and details matter - a lot! I too am Much obliged for your OP. n/t MFGsunny Oct 2019 #46
The Kurds did the fighting for us is more accurate. Moral Compass Oct 2019 #47
Reportedly ISIS fighters were particularly upset by female Pesh Merga. SuprstitionAintthWay Oct 2019 #48
Yes, we fought ISIS to the last Kurd malthaussen Oct 2019 #49
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