Is the Obama Administration Over?

[Eddie Teach]

My point isn't about self determination. It is that the world is America's to do as she pleases.

America has neither the desire nor the willpower to prop up a Kurdish state. Nor any other kind of state. Israel exists because the Jews worked their butts off to create it.

[Sheilbh]

It's huge.

If Obama fails at anything, that is likely the reason. The GOPs fault for not opposing him more effectively.

That's not what I said at all.

I've said for years that good, strong opposition is important.  I said it during the Bush years (and I think he was actually a pretty good President for his last 2-3 years) and though I support Labour I always said that I wanted the Tories to do better because I think a weak opposition, crying the foetal position, as we had for almost a decade, would lead to bad government and bad laws.  I think it did.

[Josquius]

The healthcare thing is failing?
Damn, I thought the bulk of the republicans had begun to realise it was a sane idea. I really haven't been keeping up with the news lately....

If the polling numbers are to be believed, the public was initially pretty open to the idea, but as with most of these things, that cooled off-- I think the price tag might have something to do with it.

Just curious, what is it about Obama's plan that you think is so sane?

All of it.
I've only heard his side but from that it lowers costs to the government and broadens coverage.
Its not quite a national health but it seems to be a step up from the horrible current system- which suits both sides really.

[Sheilbh]

Could the Kurds create a state?  Practically speaking, wouldn't it just be like a giant West Berlin surrounded by hostile territory.  I imagine the Turks, Iranians, Iraqis and Syrians would  close their borders to the Kurds and they wouldn't have a seaport.  How would it work?

[Valmy]

My point isn't about self determination. It is that the world is America's to do as she pleases.

Obviously we cannot.  We have limited resources just like everybody else.

Iran does as she pleases also to the extent that she can.

[Strix]

Not that logic means much coming from you Strix, but why do you think that?

#1 - The US lacks the respect it once had and it also lacks the ability to rally and organize other nations behind such a cause. We would lose all credibility once we started creating new nations after declaring we were only "helping" the Iraqi people.

#2 - The US lacks the resources and ability to create and defend a newly created nation.  Turkey is our closest ally in the region and one of the likely nations to create issues for a new country.  Yes, we could dump arms and hardware on the new nation but that wouldn't be enough considering the potentially hostile neighbors.

#3 - And most important reason. We lack the political will and stamina to undertake such a proceeding. Any new nation lacks the "guilt" factor created by the holocaust for the Jews. Also any new nation lacks the international backing that Israel enjoys as far as having members that associate themselves with the Jewish nation providing money, support, lobbying, etc, and so on.

If the US created a new nation it would go the same way that South Vietnam went at the end. We will sign agreements and treaties. Get assurances from neighbors and concerned parties. Throw advisors and equipment at them so they can defend themselves. And than do nothing beyond probably a UN complaint once someone moves in to take over (and maybe some airstrikes/missile attacks).

Especially for a Kurdish state that may be attacked by Iran and/or Turkey.

[DGuller]

Could the Kurds create a state?  Practically speaking, wouldn't it just be like a giant West Berlin surrounded by hostile territory.  I imagine the Turks, Iranians, Iraqis and Syrians would  close their borders to the Kurds and they wouldn't have a seaport.  How would it work?

That's my thought as well.  Kurdistan seems doomed unless one of their neighbors chooses to be its ally.  It's doomed, in other words.

[saskganesh]

Could the Kurds create a state?  Practically speaking, wouldn't it just be like a giant West Berlin surrounded by hostile territory.  I imagine the Turks, Iranians, Iraqis and Syrians would  close their borders to the Kurds and they wouldn't have a seaport.  How would it work?

I was thinking about this, and they might. The Turks, Iranians, sunni Iraqis, shiite Iraqis, Syrians and so are obviously not a united front and so they should be able to find temporary allies from that list to offset the others. dance partners would change often. it would require adroit diplomacy, lots of bribes and some degree of cynicism.

[Queequeg]

I think Iranian Kurdistan and Iraqi Kurdistan have a reasonable chance of forming a state, or some type of semi-state, allied autonomous areas, within the next 20 years, mostly if Iraq does not become a strictly centralized state and if there is a decline in Tehran's authority in the West.  But Turkish and Syrian Kurdistan are relatively disenfranchised (compared to the rest of their country)  poor areas under tight control.  There won't be a real Kurdish state, it has the same problem as Armenia did back in the day. 

[garbon]

Should've gone for my girl, America.

[Valmy]

Should've gone for my girl, America.

Well at least we seem to have a very good Sec of State when we really need one.

[Neil]

Should've gone for my girl, America.

Well at least we seem to have a very good Sec of State when we really need one.

Really?  Word on the street is that she's stupid.

[Valmy]

Really?  Word on the street is that she's stupid.

The North Korean street?

[Jacob]

I believe the Obama administration won't be over for another 3 1/2 years, possibly another 7 1/2.

[Neil]

Really?  Word on the street is that she's stupid.

The North Korean street?

Possibly.