Iraq, youraq,ouraq

So here's my proposal for Iraq. Divide it into thirds. Have a Kurdland, a Sunniland, and a Shiiteland.

Here's why. One of the great reasons people give for the turmoil in the Middle East is that borders were arbitrarily drawn, and did not take into concideration tribes, sects, etc. In Iraq, we can undo that by dividing it up. Kurdland to the north, and Sunniland and Shiiteland...well, wherever. Give everyone oil and a port, and give everyone a place to call home.

It has the benefit of cementing relations with the one group that likes us, the Kurds. Giving them their own country should give us another strong ally in the region. Plus, the Kurds, unlike the Sunni or Shiite's, have been actively fighting for independence for decades. They're ready. The Turks will complain, bitterly, but my bet is that Turkish Kurds don't rebel against Turkey, they'll move to Kurdland. Much easier and safer. I don't know how the Kurds get along with Iran, but if they're not allies, then we've created another check on Iran's growing influence.

Having an independent Shiite country will also act to check Iran. They can't meddle in the affairs of a Shiite nation, they have no "in." Also, the Shiite's will justifiably be concerned with Iran, and will watch, check, and othewise act to prevent Iran from gaining in the region.

And finally, yes a Sunni nation will likely closely ally itself with Iran. But think how much easier our foreign policy will be. We like you and you, but not you. You and you get these neat weapons, you don't. We have bases here and here, to watch you. Having them all together only complicates matters, gets us bogged down, and forces us all to wait until the inevitable civil war basicly does what I'm outlining. You could get it done now with negotiations, get our troops to friendly bases in Kurdland and Shiiteland.

Then we could look across the border to Iran and say, "Hey, we can do that to you too."