And the hits keep comin'

[Ocotillo]

More from the gang that couldn't shoot straight

The Next Front
Pressure is building on Ankara to deal more harshly with cross-border terrorist attacks from Iraq.

By Owen Matthews and Sami Kohen
Newsweek International

July 31, 2006 issue - Israel launched airstrikes on Lebanon in response to attacks by Hizbullah earlier this month, and George W. Bush called it "self-defense." But what to tell the Turks, who over the last week lost 15 soldiers to terror attacks launched by separatist Kurds from neighboring Iraq? Many Turkish leaders are pressing for cross-border tactical air assaults on the guerrillas. But Bush, fearing yet another escalation of the Middle East's violence, urged Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to hold off. "The message was, unilateral action isn't going to be helpful," says a senior U.S. official, describing the 15-minute phone conversation. "The president asked for patience."

<snip>

Since the beginning of the year, attacks on Turkish military garrisons and police stations have escalated across the country's southeast, along with random shootings, bombings and protests—many of them, authorities suspect, organized in Iraq. Already the Turkish military has laid detailed plans for possible helicopter-and-commando assaults, government sources tell NEWSWEEK. Meanwhile, Ankara's frustration with Washington has grown palpable. For all the Bush administration's repeated promises to crack down on the PKK, little if anything has happened. With elections coming next year, Erdogan could be pardoned for soon concluding that his forbearance might prove politically dangerous. "Moderate, liberal people in Turkey are becoming increasingly anti-American," warns Turkey's Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. "That isn't good."

<snip>

"We want action, not words." Nor can the Turks expect much from the Iraqis. "We will not tolerate any terrorist groups on the territory of Iraq," Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshir Zebari told NEWSWEEK. But even he acknowledges that it may be a while before the government's security forces get around to dealing with the PKK. By contrast, Iran last week began s ing PKK positions around Kandil Mountain on northern Iraq's Iranian and Turkish border. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also called Erdogan to assure him of Tehran's willingess to help quell the guerrillas —unlike the United States.

Tell me again how we are better off that Shrub was president rather than Al Gore. Damn, Al Sharpton could do a better job than these boobs.

[MannyIsGod]

Al Sharpton is far smarter than Gore or Bush. Too bad he's also a bit crazier.

Anyhow, this country is always a big ass contradiction in terms of forgein policy. It gets rather annoying.

[Obstructed_View]

There are ten million Kurds living in Turkey, and relations have been strained for about a hundred years. The US and Turkey are sort-of allies. The Kurds want the US to carve Kurdmenistan out of Iraq for them, and the US is currently trying to help establish a democratic government in Iraq without dividing the country.

[ChumpDumper]

The Kurds want the US to carve Kurdmenistan out of Iraq for them

Many Kurds would prefer to carve Kurdmenistan out of Iraq and Turkey for themselves.

[Ocotillo]

Many Kurds would prefer to carve Kurdmenistan out of Iraq and Turkey for themselves.

There is a hunk of Iran they would like as well.

[Obstructed_View]

Many Kurds would prefer to carve Kurdmenistan out of Iraq and Turkey for themselves.

I agree. They are actually running commercials on American TV to try to sway public opinion, so at least some of them want us to do it for them.

[ChumpDumper]

So that's what the article is about -- more problems for the US in the place we thought was the most secure.

[clambake]

What do you expect Bush to do? To get anything done as acting president, you have to be respected by leaders throughout the world. His only friends are people he owes or people who owe him. The Kurds can act at will. We can't even keep one city in Iraq from insurgent violence and that means the insurgents are very successful. Imagine that, not one city. Of course he tells Turkey to give him more time. That's what gamblers tell their bookies when they come to collect.

That's all Bush is. A gambler. The kind that walks out of the casino with nothing more than cab fare.

[01Snake]

We can't even keep one city in Iraq from insurgent violence and that means the insurgents are very successful. Imagine that, not one city.

Wow! How long have you been in Iraq? Are you commanding troops or what? Good thing we have someone "in the know" like you here to give us your expert analysis on Iraq.

[clambake]

I'm here to help. Glad to see someone appreciates me.