Iraq; So how is that surge going?

[Botany]

The Turks have invaded northern Iraq and are involved in bloody fight w/ the Kurds.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKANK00037420080223

"Ankara says it was forced to launch a cross-border offensive after Iraqi authorities failed to stop an estimated 3,000 PKK members from using northern Iraq as a base to stage deadly attacks against soldiers and civilians inside Turkish territory.

A PKK spokesman told Reuters the guerrillas had recovered the bodies of 15 of the 22 Turkish soldiers they say they have killed. He declined to comment on rebel casualties."

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The Green Zone is under attack.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/world/iraq/bal-te.iraq24feb24,0,3964458.story

Rocket barrage rattles Baghdad's Green Zone

BAGHDAD - A barrage of rockets hit Baghdad's fortified Green Zone yesterday, casting doubt on the influence of a Shiite militia cease-fire fewer than 24 hours after it was renewed.

At least six blasts resonated across the U.S.-protected enclave, which is home to Iraqi government offices, the U.S. Embassy and military bases. An American official said there were no casualties and no significant damage


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But 70 firms want in on Iraqi oil.

http://66.111.34.180/look/english/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=4&NrArticle=70614&NrIssue=2&NrSection=2

Baghdad, Feb 23, (VOI) – Over 70 multinationals are competing to help develop the black gold industry in Iraq, which owns the world's third largest proven oil reserves, the New Zealand Herald said in a report.


"Big oil firms such as Royal Dutch Shell and Total have been positioning themselves for years to gain access," read the report.
The report quoted a spokesman for the Iraqi Ministry of Oil, Aasem Jihad, as saying: "We are going to carefully study and check the documentation. Next month we will declare the companies which are permitted to work in the Iraqi oil fields."
"Iraq produces about 2.3 million barrels of oil a day, a fraction of its 115 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves, surpassed only by Saudi Arabia and Iran," the report explained.
"Some oil companies have already signed deals with the largely autonomous northern Kurdistan region. This move has angered the Government in Baghdad, which has responded by threatening to declare the deals illegal," it added.
"Firms from Europe, Asia and America are among those that have registered to bid," the report concluded quoting Jihad as saying.

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Rolling Stone ... a must read "A Myth of a Surge

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/18722376/the_myth_of_the_surge

[rpannier]

1. I heard we won

And the show was SOOOOOO successful, they're taking it on the road to Iran, to bring the same sense of Democracy, peace and love there that they brought to Iraq.

[onethatcares]

2. next month we will declare the companies which are permitted to

work in the Iraqi oil fields. Anyone want to make a bet that E/M is one of the leaders?