Good post. Turkey is a super important key to the future security of the USA. The day a USA citizen can't move around freely in Turkey will be the day the USA is seen as losing the war. In the first stages of this modern revival of the ageless enmity between the East and West, Al Qaeda and Islamic Jihad easily removed Americans from a perceived moderate Egypt through the intimidating Luxor attack. Syria, Iraq and Saudi have never attempted moderation. Iran turned away from the west is the most radical of them all.
Bush understands the cost of purchasing allies.
There never was any intent to set up an autonomous Kurdish state. Rather, the Kurds will have their own federal region in post-Saddam federal Iraq, ruled by local Kurds, of course.
Ankara is going through some tough economic times. She'll be aided by the U.S.. Don't be surprised if a free trade agreement isn't in the offing.
Be Seeing You,
Chris