Tension building between Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan (Updated)

Turkey has formally decided to OK pursuing the PKK into northern Iraq. Iraqi Kurdistan responded by imploring the Iraqi national government to supply military cover. The government said that it cannot spare the resources--something to do with their commitment to the multinational coalition force and its effort to provide security against an insurgency.

Turkey made its decision close on the heels of a move in the United States congress to recognize the event as a genocide.

There's little question that a genocide took place in Turkey near the start of the 20th century, but it was different government in power and the timing of this move is nothing short of stupidity. Why is it stupid? Because it strains relations between the U.S. and Turkey at a critical time.

I'm sorry to say that the stupidity yet again was not limited to the Democratic side of the aisle.

Voting in support of the measure were Representatives Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Howard Berman (D-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Jim Costa (D-CA), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), William Delahunt (D-MA), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Eni F. H. Faleomavaega (D-SM*), Elton Gallegly (R-CA), Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), Gene Green (D-TX), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Ron Klein (D-FL), Tom Lantos (D-CA), Donald Manzullo (R-IL), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), Edward Royce (R-CA), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Christopher Smith (R-NJ), Diane Watson (D-CA), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), and David Wu (D-OR),
(NewsBlaze) bold emphasis added

The above represents the results of a House Foreign Affairs Committee vote.

Bilirakis comes from a district with a large number of Armenians, so his vote seems to have something to do with a desire to remain in office. Don't give the Democrats a pass just because they're not in bold, but note that the measure doesn't receive committee approval without the Republican support (the vote was 27 to 21).

The resolution has hit some bumps and may not be passed, but damage has already been done.

Update:
Captain's Quarters has an appropriate update of the news as well as trenchant analysis.

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