All of the "they fought along side of us" stuff really pisses me off.

[SuprstitionAintthWay]

12. No one's saying they do all this altruistically, with no interests of their own.

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.