[SamuraiScot]

there's a worrying unwillingness to act under a free-market-style concept here. It won't go through. It won't go through the parliament this way.

The Kurds are right, for a number of reasons. The first is that there is no reason to entrust the country's oil to a (so far) unstable kleptocracy in the south of Iraq. Let the government exact a modest tax per barrel as international investors make the oil boom begin.

The second reason is that the Kurds not only have a good economy that is just what we're trying to create elsewhere in the country. Allowing a sane form of government to continue there will spread the idea that free markets lead to peace elsewhere in Iraq.

The final, and key reason is that the Kurds could clobber any Shiite army that tried to invade. If they don't want to join Iraq, it's not going to happen. And good for them.

[Sleeping Beauty]

The second reason is that the Kurds not only have a good economy that is just what we're trying to create elsewhere in the country. Allowing a sane form of government to continue there will spread the idea that free markets lead to peace elsewhere in Iraq.

Yes, yes, 100 times yes.

Pi$$ on Bagdad and the rest of Iraq. Let's go with a winner for once.