Turkish, Iranian armies build up forces along Iraq’s only quiet area

Turkish, Iranian armies build up forces along Iraq’s only quiet area

The Kurdish provinces of northern Iraq are the country’s most stable and prosperous area. But to neighbouring Iran and Turkey, they are something else: an inspiration and a support base for the large Kurdish minorities in their own countries.
So Iran and Turkey are sending troops, tanks and artillery to the frontier to seal off the borders and send a message: if the U.S.-backed Iraqi government doesn’t clamp down on Kurdish guerrillas who use Iraq as a base, they’ll do it themselves.
That has left the United States in a quandary. If U.S. forces take action, they risk alienating Iraqi Kurds, the most pro-American group in the region. And if they don’t, they risk increased tensions – and possibly worse – with two powerful rivals.
Just listen to Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.
"We would not hesitate to take every kind of measures when our security is at stake," Gul said when asked whether Turkish troops might cross into Iraq. "The United States best understands Turkey’s position. Everybody knows what they can do when they feel their security is threatened."

The news from Iraq keeps getting better, doesn't it? Hey we can always say Iran is evil but what can we call Turkey (our "friend") - misguided?

Boy, the "diplomats" in W's regime will have a tough time with this one.