The (Ex) Washington Realist

First, the U.S. is NOT going to police the Iraqi-Turkish border for the Kurdistan Regional Government or otherwise get involved in any efforts to stop the PKK from using sanctuaries in Iraq from striking in Turkey. Major General Benjamin Mixon has made this perfectly clear; that in his eyes it is the responsibility of the Kurdish Regional Government to take these steps.

[The Associated Press reports as follows:

Asked if he is planning any action against the rebels, Mixon said:

"Absolutely nothing."

Does he think he has any responsibility to try to avoid a Turkish incursion into the north? "I have not been given any requirements or any responsibility for that," he said.

But if terrorists are operating in his region, came another question, why not get involved?

"Let me put it to you very clearly," he answered. The provincial Kurdish authorities have their own Peshmerga militia, Mixon and, "it's their responsibility" in three northern provinces of Iraq.


Reuters is now quoting a "senior Turkish source" claiming that the proposals brought by Iraqi Defence Minister General Abdel Qader Jassim and National Security Minister Shirwan al Waeli to Ankara "do not meet our expectations." No further meetings are planned.

Will the raids taking place today change attitudes?


I am a bit concerned about the U.S. attitude as well. It suggests that we would not be prepared to implement a containment strategy to prevent spillover from Iraq from destabilizing the larger region.

We will keep monitoring the situation.