http://www.politicalfilter.com/content/frontpage/comments/american-forces-leave-iraqi-cities-dick-cheney-prepares-for-the-worse/ Sticking to the SOFA agreement, American forces are withdrawing from Iraqi cities to rural bases, as Dick Cheney and others raise concerns about a potential rise and violence. The Iraqi's themselves are pretty jubilant, turning the day into a festive national holiday. Going forward, the most contentious issue facing Iraq isn't Al Qaeda, but the "Kurdish Question". The Kurdish people reside mostly in northern Iraq, on top of huge oil reserves which they feel belongs to them and the nation of Kurdistan. Baghdad obviously disagrees and with the U.S. drawing down its role and buffer between the two regions, Baghdad's surprising toughness towards negotiating with oil companies, the issue will be become a major focus in the future. en-us brandonb Copyright 2009 2009-06-30T;15:39:29+00:00 http://www.politicalfilter.com/content/member/1/ Shhh! Wed, 01 Jul 09 14:15:52 +0000 http://www.politicalfilter.com/content/member/215/ Foolish is right, because our original objective is achieved: permanent military bases in the middle east. Wed, 01 Jul 09 10:30:08 +0000 http://www.politicalfilter.com/content/member/80/ That headline gave me a visual not unlike the iconic scene from Return of the Jedi. Only Vader survives and glowers from a distance as he watches the Ewoks foolishly celebrate their victory. Tue, 30 Jun 09 21:07:41 +0000