I recognize that it might be better for most Iraqi's if there is some kind of separation between Shari'a and State
In your opinion from your cultural perspective. What of the Iraqi perspective and their cultural heritage? Should we dismiss and marginalize it because we have a more "enlightened" culture? Isn't this the same rationalization all colonial powers have used to subjugate and maintain control over their subjects?
I am sorry I have to reject that argument.
I am very leery of the Kurds and their intentions. Whereas I support their efforts for an independent sovereign nation, in the current situation the Kurds I believe have played the US for all it's worth.
The US utilized the support of PKK and PUK listed terrorists organizations to facilitate the overthrow of Saddam's regime in the north of Iraq. Even now the US looks the other way regarding the PKK's continued raids in Turkey, also an ally.
The Kurds I believe have been campaigning all along for independence probably waiting for the most opportune time to declare independence. It will probably not be soon as their position has to be completely galvanized with US support.
Note this
Autonomy, Oil Money Underlie Kurdish Goals in Iraq by Anne Garrels and Steve Inskeep
The two men [ed. Talabani & Barzani] are working for as much autonomy from the central government as they can get, which so far has been considerable. Iraqi Arabs must have passports to travel to Kurdistan; the official language is Kurdish, not Arabic; and the Iraqi flag has been taken down in many places, replaced with the Kurdish flag.
Also note Talabani has visited both Syria and Iran, and several years ago Turkey. Could he have been testing the waters of not only the Iraqi situation but perhaps the sub-context of Kurdish independence?
some food for thought
