Ah, the Kurds.

Even if the Arab portion of Iraq doesn't quite get it yet, seeing the Kurds build an enclave of civilization among the barbarism, repression and chaos of the region it's hard to question the wisdom of liberating Iraq.

Well, its clear to us bloggers that there is indeed a secure, developing and booming civilization in the Kurdish cities and towns.

Most of us applaud them for it, and hope the rest of Iraq would emulate their success.

The prospect probably seems light years away, but I'd say with a vibrant electronic media, coupled with free and uncensored newspapers in Iraq, you may see the rest of Iraq progress and boom within a decade.

It probably has very little to do with the level of American troops, or the strategy they pursue.

Once the suicide bombers realise their strategy is pointless, there should be a de-escalation.

What I meant above with my comment about the role of the media is that people generally will start to see better living conditions in the Kurdish towns and villages, and either emulate them or migrate there (more likely).

Speaking of which, does anyone here know what the current situation is with non-Kurdish Iraqis and their option to migrate to the more prosperous Kurdish region ?

I appreciate the vast cultural and religious differences that exist within Iraq, and that historically a very tribal attitude existed where people would reside in an area corresponding to their religion, sect or tribe.

But otherwise, why don't we see thousands if not tens of thousands of Iraqi families migrating to the Kurdish areas ? Perhaps the police restrict movement and migration into these areas ? Or perhaps it is already happening and not being reported by the media?

POSITIVE SIDE OF THIS WAR & the best investment Americans made= the Kurds.

It was about time someone helped this ethinic group. They have been brutalized by many governments for decades, I am glad it was America that finally stood up for them.

I've seen people drop what they were doing when the muezzin comes on - Kurds, in fact, from eastern Turkey but working in the hotel industry in western Turkey, where I'll soon be working. In southwestern Turkey, the Kurds are the most religious people around.

Jono,

From what I have read (some of it, I seem to recall, on this blog) the position of the Kurds on other Iraqis moving there is simple: OK, as long as you are willing to leave all that inter-faith violence nonsense behind you. If you want to come and work to build a better country, come right ahead.

Makes you wonder then, why the hell can't the vast majority of Iraqis set aside their differences, pack up and start a better life for themselves and their families ?

The possible answers to this question are not encouraging at all.

It just shows that the sectarian mindset and tribalism in Iraq is a very very deep part of the culture.

With other successful modern cultures, you usually see the tribalism slowly evaporate as economies modernize and develop. When cities grow and flourish, jobs and employment opportunities abound and dozens of hard working people migrate to cities to build a better life for themselves, with only one condition - they have to mix, tolerate and interact with different people and different cultures.

I think thats why Lebanon could be one of the greatest success stories in the coming years. But Iraqis need an economic boom that could take 10+ years to start rolling.

Well, keep in mind guys, the Kurds had their own bloody civil war amongst themselves not long ago.

Arab Iraq mostly needs a lot of patience.