It's the autonomy stupid!

The LA Times reports today that the Kurds in Iraq have signed a deal with a Norwegian oil exploration company without the approval, or even knowledge, of the central government in Baghdad. The paper, like most reports, uses words like astonishment and doubt, but the real question is why did it take so long? The Kurdish north has no real interest in remaining part of Iraq. They have the best-trained army of any of the regions and the most experience with autonomy. The question isn't if but when they separate. Signing their own oil deals is only the continued practice of their autonomy.