4 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
4 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Bad case of Baghdadophobia

by Mike Wright
3 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
    • |
BBC NEWS | Middle East | Viewpoint: Bad case of Baghdadophobia


not exactly on the "up and up" is it ?
  • Profile picture of the author John Henderson
    It's just a disaster.

    The coalition is itching to pull out, and the only question that's really worth asking is "What will take its place?". It certainly isn't going to be the Iraqi army or police.

    IIRC, the Brits were pushing the Yanks to split Iraq into 3 separate countries; one Kurdish, one Sunni and one Shia. But the Americans said 'no'. Now that the coalition is edging towards pulling out, I think that the decision not to give each of the 3 tribes their own patch is a missed opportunity to avoid an almighty war for territory.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[245572].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Kurt
      Originally Posted by John Henderson View Post

      It's just a disaster.

      The coalition is itching to pull out, and the only question that's really worth asking is "What will take its place?". It certainly isn't going to be the Iraqi army or police.

      IIRC, the Brits were pushing the Yanks to split Iraq into 3 separate countries; one Kurdish, one Sunni and one Shia. But the Americans said 'no'. Now that the coalition is edging towards pulling out, I think that the decision not to give each of the 3 tribes their own patch is a missed opportunity to avoid an almighty war for territory.
      It isn't this easy...If the Kurds get their own country, Turkey will be very angry, and Turkey is one of the rare democratic Muslem countries/ally of the West. And, it could very possibly lead to a war between Turkey and "Kurdistan" a few years down the road. At the very least, it could cause a lot of trouble domestically for Turkey by Kurds now living in Turkey.
      Signature
      Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
      Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[245735].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author John Henderson
        Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

        It isn't this easy...If the Kurds get their own country, Turkey will be very angry, and Turkey is one of the rare democratic Muslem countries/ally of the West. And, it could very possibly lead to a war between Turkey and "Kurdistan" a few years down the road. At the very least, it could cause a lot of trouble domestically for Turkey by Kurds now living in Turkey.
        I can't disagree with you there, Kurt. Turkey is itching to join the European Union (even though 95% of the country is in Asia) which, if it succeeds, will mean that the EU will border Iraq.

        In the meantime, it's a complicated situation between the 3 tribes, especially as the Shia can count on support from Iran and the Sunni can count on support from Saudi Arabia. By contrast, the Kurds cannot count on friendship from their northerly neighbour.

        By musing on a "three way split" of Iraq, I was just trying to imagine the scenario that would lead to the least bloodshed when the coalition forces leave Iraq. Just daydreaming out loud really...
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[246455].message }}

Trending Topics