Eric Raymond has an interesting and well-reasoned piece up about our notion of Iraq’s recovery. His hypothesis is that as long as the Kurds want in, Iraq’s fine; if the Kurds see trouble, they’ll get out — and we’ll know. Makes sense to me. Definitely read the whole thing, for ESR’s typically lucid writing as well as for the rest of his thoughts. (Also, of course, the discussion in the comments thread.)

UPDATE: Chrenkoff throws in some upward-looking opinion poll results.