The Only Positive Development in the Middle East

Submitted by Ron Thompson (United States), Sep 10, 2014 at 14:44

I salute Daniel Pipes for being able to nimbly and completely change his mind. A few years ago, I had a letter-to-the- editor published which advocated that the US establish a military base in Kurdistan as the only place in the Muslim Middle East the where US soldiers would be positively welcomed,, and free of fear of suicide bombers.

It is also most encouraging to consider that an eventual fully developed Kurdish State might have a population of 30 million which really could stand against possible enemies from 3 directions (Iran, Iraq, Turkey). And even more encouraging to think this new nation might also acquire a land route to the Mediteranean (on territory abandoned or lost by Assad's crumbling Syria).

I would only add that while it seems that Kurdistan can have its Islam without breeding suicidal fanatics, I don't attribute this to a "moderate" islam, but to something in the Kurdish national character that allows them to remain Muslim ..... in spite of Islam.

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