wrog

So, you're assuming that because they didn't let us put our troops on Turkish soil, they're not going to go in there sometime soon and crush the Kurds?

See next entry. Also I'm thinking Bush has shown a spiteful and petty streak in the past; that the Turks aren't on board now makes it somewhat less likely he'll let them in later. Granted, that assumes we actually can keep them out, but unless they feel profoundly threatened, they're going to think twice about crossing the border uninvited. But also, see next entry.

Overdue?

Given that NATO's express purpose was to contain the Soviet threat, the fact that it's still alive and kicking 10 years after the fall of the USSR is more than a little suspicious. At least it certainly appears that way to the Russians and I'm not entirely sure I blame them.

but I continue to hope (or at least wish) that it'll survive this and become the world government it deserves to be.

hence "useful to have around." Well, okay, I don't know about world government; the non-Europe/NorthAmerica folks might have something to say about that. Anyway, I thought this was what the UN was for, stupidly organized though it might be for that task...