[mburbank]

Strategically, Turkey is desireable, no question. But the reality (I think) of such an alliance will bring nothing but grief and greatly increase the risk of disasterous quagmire in post war Iraq.

We will be seen as having bribed a government to ignore the overwhleming will of it's people, and if the Turks enter into conflict with Iraqi Kurds, who have promised they will if Turkish soldiers cross the border, we will be held accountable. Northern Iraq has functioned independantly under our protection for ten years. They are, in all prcatice, autonous. If we allow Turkey to occupy this region, we will have sold the Kurds for our own war aims.