This is one of the most interesting stories I've come across in a long time. Amidst the growing perception that there's some kind of "clash of civilizations" emerging, tradition vs. modernity or East vs. West or Christianity/Zionism vs. Islam or Us vs. Them or Good vs. Evil or whatever . . . it's important to remember how complex things are.

We already know that Iraq (now magically transformed from "Evil Enemy" to "Great Democracy") is allying closely with Iran. But now Turkey (our ally) is working with (or competing with?) Iran (our hated enemy) to attack the Kurds (our friends, but enemies of Turkey -- also in this case considered "terrorists" by the State Department and the EU, etc.) in Iraq . . .

I don't really understand it and don't know what to say about it. But things are messy and are only going to get messier . . .

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Kurds flee homes as Iran shells Iraq's northern frontier