If Iraqi Kurdish leaders had the power to prevent the Turks from acquiring the tools of massacre but did not, they should be willing to explain why, or be forced to acknowledge they use the rhetoric of Kurdish empowerment insincerely.

Iraq should begin considering what it will do if Iraqi President Jalal Talabani dies. If they start considerations now, the transition of power will be much smoother.

The Balkanization of Kurdistan impacted university development. As a result many universities in Kurdistan have suffered and are not providing a quality education to their students.

Iraqi Kurdistan has achieved miracles since 1991, but it needs intellectuals, including journalists, to continue to move forward.

Review of Iraqi Kurdistan: Political Development and Emergent Democracy, by Gareth R.V. Stansfield.

On December 2, rioters allegedly stirred up by preachers at Friday prayers rampaged through Zakho, destroying a controversial massage parlor before moving on to torch several liquor shops and hotels. In retaliation, a mob of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) activists attacked the local office of the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) and KIU media offices in nearby Duhok and Semel.

While debate has continued in recent months in Washington and Baghdad about the wisdom and need for U.S. forces to remain in Iraq, Obama's statement at the United Nations General Assembly appears to end the debate.

The career of Iraj Masjedi, including his service at Base Ramezan and his promotion to senior adviser to Qassem Suleimani, highlights a cycle of generational change within the IRGC QF, and offers an indication of where to find Iran's future Quds Force leaders.