PKK vs. PUK/KDP (1 Viewer)

[Joby]

Am I the only one who thinks it's hypocritical that when it comes to Iraqi Kurds in the PUK or KDP, they are referred to as "Armed Resistance" movements, but when it comes to the PKK in Turkey, it's a "terrorist" group.

Turkey has razed hundreds of villages, and thousands of Kurds have fled, in the past, to Iraq under Saddam.

Is the fact that Turkey has strategic value to us the only reason we don't support Kurds there? Turkey screwed us over pre-Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the Kurds have been our biggest friends. I think it's time we rethink our allegiances, and help the Kurdish uprising spread to Iran (?)

Although, we might need Turkey in an Iran war. Any thoughts?

 

[Jay R]

Is the fact that Turkey has strategic value to us the only reason we don't support Kurds there?

Perfect example of double standard in US policy, why you ask? Because the US is of the opinion that as far as the democratization of the Middle East is concerned Turkey is already 'good enough' and thus their policy is one of acceptance and encouragement, conveniently ignoring the unsavoury aspects still present in Turkish society. This is typified by America continuing to put it's weight behind Turkish EU accession as a demonstration of western acceptance of a suitably modernized Islamic nation, conveniently sweeping European concerns and reservations aside as a lack of vision or even worse, an indication of intolerance, quite possibly the most patronising nonsense I've ever heard.

Thus while the Kurdish community in Iraq are deemed a valid part of the new democratic Iraqi nation, those still campaiging against Turkey and the responses toward them of the Turkish state are an unwelcome hinderance to Turkey's ambitions and thus to the broader US strategy dealing with the Middle East, they too are swept aside in the interests not rocking Turkey's boat ride into the EU.

 

[Joby]

Not to mention all the F-16s and napalm bombs they've bought from us and continue to...which they use on towns not willing to become "village guards" in their fight against the PKK.

"Village Guards":If you join, they'll see you as an enemy and attack. If you don't, we'll bulldoze your town. Which will it be?

 

[Joby]

Oh, and we've actually helped Turkey allow the Hizbullah to grow so they fight the PKK as well. Divide and Conquer.

*This is the Sunni Hizbullah, not the Shia Hizbullah. Little difference other that, you got it, ones Sunni the other Shia