Friday, February 22, 2008

So, Kate ... how's that "handover" going?


Hey, kids ... remember when "Canada's Best Blogger" was getting moist over all that ducky progress in Iraq?

June 2, 2007
Pershmergrrrls


ARBIL, Iraq (AFP) - In a blaze of pomp showcasing Kurdish military muscle, US forces handed over responsibility for security in Iraq's three northern provinces to the Kurdish regional government on Wednesday [...]

The handover was followed by a parade of Kurdish soldiers, including an all-female martial arts display.

Via Gateway Pundit;

7 of 18 Iraqi Provinces now control the security and governmental operations in their region.

How many Americans do you suppose know that?

Posted by Kate at June 2, 2007 7:50 AM

Yeah, those were good times, weren't they? So ... how's all that security and stabilization going these days, Kate? Uh oh ...

Turkey launches ground incursion into Iraq, escalating conflict with Kurd rebels

ISTANBUL, Turkey - Turkish troops launched a ground incursion across the border into Iraq in pursuit of separatist Kurdish rebels, the military said Friday - a move that dramatically escalates Turkey's conflict with the militants.

It is the first confirmed ground operation by the Turkish military into Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. It also raised concerns that it could trigger a wider conflict with the U.S.-backed Iraqi Kurds, despite Turkey's assurances that its only target was the Kurdistan Workers' party, or PKK.

Yeah, that's not quite what Canada's wingnuts had in mind, was it? Although, to be fair, no one could have expected this recent development. I mean, come on, who could possibly have had the foresight and prescience to worry about just this sort of thing happening?

Who indeed?

And, just so you know, yes, it is a burden being right about absolutely everything absolutely all of the time. But I'm getting used to it.

Your move, Kate.

17 comments:

Red Tory said...

Don't you ever tire of shooting fish in a barrel?

JimBobby said...

Whooee! Looks like there's troublems in Merkan-backed semi-autonomous states and breakaway provinces. The dang Serbs are on the warpath again. The Kurds are spoilin' fer a fight.

I hope the Merkans don't recognize Alberty independence, too soon.

JB

Red Tory said...

Has our “bold” and “fearless” government that demonstrates “leadership” at every available opportunity (*snort*) managed to concoct some sort of a position on the independence of Kosovo yet? All I’ve heard so far is the chirping of crickets. Inquiring minds want to know which of these two states will they determine to be the “lesser evil”… (Neither offer anything much to cheer about from what I can tell.)

Ti-Guy said...

Be nice, Red Tory..."moral clarity" requires nuance and a careful investigation of the facts at hand. Except when it doesn't.

The Right would solve all its problems if it just learned three little words: "I," "don't" and "know."

Red Tory said...

My bad. I'm feeling especially cranky today.

The Seer said...

CC, you are the most anti-American Bush-hater I've ever encountered.

We now got us 35 countries fighting in Iraq. Against terrorists & such. And we're not just talking about one Icelander or two Canadians. This is the real thing.

The Seer said...

jimbobby —

— Just think. If Stephen had taken Alberty into the Union, Stephen could have won the Republican primary, since the competition, this year, was light and lacked Stephen's true conservative credentials. I don't think you Canadians understand or appreciate the sacrifices Stephen makes for Canada.

Red Tory said...

We now got us 35 countries fighting in Iraq.

LOL. Let's "see" the link there, bub. How much is Micronesia kicking into the fray as part of the "Coalition of the Bribed"?

Red Tory said...

Taking a long while to come up with that info, huh? Come on "Seer"... I know you can do it! You're ingenious, after all, right?

The Seer said...

The point isn't how much Micronesia is putting up, its how much the Turks are putting up. This is the first new commitment of troops since the surge. This is a new course for Iraq. It opens up a whole bunch of new possibilities. Next thing we know, Iran itself will be committing troops to Iraq. See what I'm saying?

Ti-Guy said...

Heh. Iran becoming part of the Coalition of the Willing. And the sad thing is, I believe Dubs would welcome it.

liberal supporter said...

Iran "putting up"? Turkey "putting up"? On which side?

The Turks want to stop the Kurds, Iran wants to stop the Sunnis. It's not just "us" and everyone else is therefore terrorists.

Yes, 35 countries fighting in Iraq. Only 160 to go. Will McCain break George's record of 35?

The Seer said...

liberal supporter:

1. Beggars can't be choosers.

2. Iran has a Kurdish problem too. And

3. Like ti-guy says, Dear Leader would welcome an Iranian presence in Iraq.

liberal supporter said...

WTF?

1. Beggars can't be choosers.
If you don't care which side others enter a war on, you are more interested in selling arms to both, or watching your oil stocks rise, than seeing it end.


2. Iran has a Kurdish problem too. And
Yes, the problem is that Iran is also a conglomeration of many groups. Kurdistan was divided into three pieces among three countries so they would not be a united country.


3. Like ti-guy says, Dear Leader would welcome an Iranian presence in Iraq.
Yes, the more war the higher the oil price goes.

Only trouble is, it isn't like the 18th century jolly old war where the aristocrats had a picnic with their ladies on the hill and were entertained by the day's meat grinder in the valley below. Things can get out of hand nowadays. You know, like a world war?


"I do not know with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." Albert Einstein

Saskboy said...

Now I get it. The Turks are part of a new surge strategy. Those surges are really handy at putting down wars, aren't they?

The Seer said...

Saskboy:

Surges are handy. But not for putting down wars. Remember, St. John McCain wants a Hundred Year War.

The Seer said...

Whoops!

It now appears that Dear Leader didn't even want Turkey to join the coalition of the willing! Dear Leader is sending his superminion, SecDef Gates, to talk — no, I won't say it — to Ankara.

Does this mean CC got it right?

Is it my move now?

At first glance, it looked so good for Dear Leader.