Epstein Secrets

he fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, America aimed at a "new world order." There was to be no place, at least in theory, for renegade dictators like Saddam Hussein or Slobodan Milosevic. After 9/11, the U.S. declared a "war on terror" and led an international effort to stop Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda, and Islam

at least in theory, for renegade dictators like Saddam Hussein or Slobodan Milosevic. After 9/11, the U

st in theory, for renegade dictators like Saddam Hussein or Slobodan Milosevic. After 9/11, the U.S. decl

e Anne and Bernard Spitzer Professor of Political Science at the City College of New York/City University of New York, nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, and the author, most recently, of The End of Alliances (Oxford University Press, 2007). NYT French Muscle, American Cheese Roger Cohen Novemb

turmoil has wracked much of the rest of the country. Yet for many Kurds, the Iraqi region of Kurdistan could never be complete without Kirkuk. Under Saddam Hussein's brutal Arabization campaigns, many Kurds were forced to leave. The ethnically mixed area has been the flash point of a bitter territorial dispute.

tan could never be complete without Kirkuk. Under Saddam Hussein's brutal Arabization campaigns, many Kur

ld never be complete without Kirkuk. Under Saddam Hussein's brutal Arabization campaigns, many Kurds were

sh official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of political sensitivities. Ramzy Mardini, an Iraq expert and nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council, said he believes the Kurds are pushing for economic gains and greater control, without having to shoulder the responsibilities of full statehood.

icana. Despite Putin's well-known opposition to the Iraq War, he is also cultivating a strong military and energy-based relationship with the post- Saddam government in Baghdad. Gazprom and Rosneft have moved in to capitalize on Iraq's increased oil and gas outputs. Last summer, contracts were signed

resuscitate Idriss' Free Syrian Army, seeking a rapprochement with the Islamic Front and working to keep diplomatic talks alive. Frederic C. Hof of the Atlantic Council, another Syria expert, calls that "the moonwalk option" — the illusion of forward motion while standing in place — and it's the most likely outcome