judy miller and the kurds

* apparently blogger ate my post yesterday about Judy Miller's article on the (iraqi) kurds.

* emptywheel:

"While Miller's new column--an interview with Kurdistan's President Massoud Barzani and his nephew--clearly attempts to sway public opinion (in this case, to advocate for a semi-independent Kurdish state bolstered by a fair number of American troops), it is free of the noxious, barely hidden propaganda of administration spin. Just the Barzanis and their pitch for a new and thriving Kurdistan.

I'm most curious, though, about the timing. Do you think it's a coincidence that Miller's column appears at the same time as Chalabi is offering the AP an interview from the safety of his London home?
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And then there's this other bit. Who in their right mind calls for negotiation with the Iranians and the Turks, but leaves out Syria? Maybe that's just Chalabi taking his anti-Baathist campaign internationally. But it sure does look like a bid for accommodation with Iran and Turkey, and to hell with the Sunnis and Syrians.

Anyway, Chalabi's up to something, that's for sure. By comparison, Judy looks downright upfront with her influence piece!"

Larryjohnson:

"CUCKOO! Judith Miller is baaaaaack. She has a featured piece in the WSJ's The Observer, "Kurdistan: A conversation with the president of Iraq's most successful region." They have "pristine new parks," no car bombs, and a huge new marble palace. They heart President Bush. And they really love American soldiers: "The more American soldiers the better, a top aide confirms.""