Mr. Burkette did refresh my memory. While promises were made, it is clear that, while the temptation to mission creep existed, it was ultimately resisted. As for betraying the Kurds, we did fail there-but only because grandiosity temped us to exceed the mission for which we had domestic and international support. That was wrong-but prevented a war in Iraq which we foolishly entered into twelve years later. I personally think McCain was right. We should have recognized Kurdistan in Syria after Syria’s 2009 revolt.A friendly Kurdistan would have bern a military ally, and recognition would gave given Kurds what they deserve-a homeland.