U.S. troops should stay longer in Iraq: Talabani

McGentrix,

You obviously understand the ethnic conflict in Iraq.

Talabani is a Kurd. The Kurds want the US to stay in Iraq, for their protection, until they can declare an independent state (or an very autonomous part of a very loose federation). The Kurds like the US.

If you ask any Kurd, they will all say they want the US to stay. Most will say indefinately (I think Talabani is being diplomatic given his position).

If you ask any Shiite (unless he happens to be "America's man in Iraq"), they will tell you they want the US out very soon. The Shiites do want the US to prop them up, and they certainly want US weapons... but they also want a close relationship with Iran.

Most Shiite will want a quick withdrawral, except for those who are directly benefiting from US aid and support (i.e. politicians).

If you ask any Sunni, they will tell you they want the US out yesterday. Their actions speak even louder than their words.

Iraq is in the midst of violent ethnic conflict (I am kindly avoiding the word) where each of the three sides is trying to gain power over the other two.

A pure democracy would give the Shiites power, and mean a rapid exit for US troops, a move toward religious control over the country and a warming with Iran. Of course this is why the US will not allow real democracy in Iraq.

But the fact that a Kurd represents what is in the best interest of his side of the ethnic conflict, it is hardly news.

This smacks of part of the continuing propaganda campaign.

I hear two conflicting reports about this on the news. On the one hand, they want the U.S. out, but on the other hand they want the U.S. to stay because they'll have no protection otherwise.

What do you think of three semi-autonomous regions in Iraq with a weak central government to split up the oil revenues? This is an idea put forth by Peter Galbraith, and is subscribed to by Sen. Biden, and Sen. kay Baily Hutchinson of Texas. A bipartison agreement there. Wonder of wonders! Essentially, Iraq all ready has three separate regions and Bagdad, which is rrapidly becoming sectarian.

If it's a weak central government, it may have great difficulty getting the
regions to agree on the split.

What a dork W is. By removing Saddam he has strengthened Iran.