Relations between Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki continued to worsen today, as KRG President Massud Barzani delivered a high profile speech in Arbil today about the threats posed by Maliki’s government.
Barzani’s comments expressed hope that the KRG’s close relationship with US oil giant ExxonMobil would afford some protection from attempts to undermine its autonomy, and warned against a coming military confrontation.
To that end, Barzani warned that Maliki’s government should not be allowed to purchase US-made F-16 warplanes, saying he is convinced that they would be used against the Kurdish north by Maliki, who is increasingly centralizing power under his control.
Barzani has discussed the F-16 purchases in the past, saying he believes that the only reason Maliki hasn’t invaded KRG territory yet is because of the relative parity between the Iraqi military and the Peshmearga, and warning that the F-16s could tip the balance overwhelmingly in favor of Maliki’s forces.
Barzani has been increasingly vocal in his criticism of Maliki, who is currently the Prime Minister as well as the acting Interior Minister, Defense Minister, National Security Minister, and Chief of Military Staff. A recent visit to Turkey had Barzani discussing the situation with Turkish PM Erdogan, leading Maliki to declare Turkey an “enemy state.”
Since when has Barzani become a president? He is correctly called Kurdistan’s strong man. He has recently talked to the US and Saudi officials as well as Turkey’s meddling and big mouth Erdogan, but he should really not be trusted. He’s known to forget his promises.
He has now found his opportunistic moment aligning himself with Turkey/US axis hoping to secede Kurdistan from Iraq. He should realize that he could easily be sandwiched and pressed hard between Iran and Iraq. Let’s wait and see what he says when meets the Iranians.
"Since when has Barzani become a president?"
The president of Iraq is different from the pres of the US, because Iraq's governmental structure is different from that of the US (and other countries with presidents, as well). Is it possible you are so muddled in your understanding of things that you could miss so fundamental a fact?
Your comments regularly reflect this oddly confused assemblage of logic and defective facts.
You need to read more, and wait on the commenting part until you get your act together.
Start with Chomsky. Lots of Chomsky. He will get your head straight.
Your name, Nathan, suggests you are Jewish, as am I, so the source of your confusion could be the penetration of your worldview by the false Zionist narrative. To reverse that will require a bit of work. But I'm here to help.
These are the crucial sources for understanding the situation the world finds itself in today vis a vis Israel.
The last three are long, scholarly, and frankly, a bit dry. However, the first, for obvious reasons, is quite entertaining.
"Concerning the Jews" by Mark Twain http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/mtw…
The Hidden History of Zionism
http://www.marxists.de/middleast/schoenman/
Behind the Balfour Declaration
http://www.ihr.org/jhr/v06/v06p389_John.html#ftn1…
Benjamin Freedman
http://www.sweetliberty.org/issues/israel/freedma…
"Your name, Nathan, suggests you are Jewish, as am I, so the source of your confusion could be the penetration of your worldview by the false Zionist narrative. To reverse that will require a bit of work. But I'm here to help. "
quote for truth^
Hey Barzani, you don't seriously think that ExxonMobil hasn't already made alternate plans with Maliki, do you? ExxonMobil will always butter both sides of the toast to ensure a favorable outcome.
so i guess the end of the occupation of Afghanistan in 2024 will coincide with the reinvasion of iraq in order to depose a horrible tyrant for killing kurds, or am i looking at the wrong schedule
The gov't of Iraq attacking the Kurds? Gee, I'm really glad we spent $2 trillion kicking out Saddam.