#7. Showdown in Kurdistan
Oct. 18: Turkey's parliament authorizes its military to mount operations across the border in Iraq against the sanctuaries of the Kurdish separatist PKK organization, after dozens of Turks are killed in PKK actions. While Washington deems the PKK a terrorist organization, it fears the consequences of a neighbor launching military action in Iraq. Under increasing pressure, the Iraqi government agrees to take stronger action against PKK operatives on its soil.