Idiots Finally Released

If they weren't working for the CIA or NSA, I'll eat my hat.

Kurdistan (the region, if you like) is frequently touted as a destination among TOEFL folk, and US expatriates who live in the Muddle East.

See here, for example (travel section in a widely distributed GCC newspaper)

http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/tra ... -kurdistan

I have a number of friends who live and work there - who report that it's an ideal destination.

The region is much more stable than the rest of Iraq - but it's pro-west, and sits at the confluence of Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey.

From a history and culture perspective - the Kurdistan region is hard to beat.

towermonkey wrote: If they weren't working for the CIA or NSA, I'll eat my hat.

OP, want to add a poll to see how many people think they were spies?

I don't think they were spies for the US, but now I am starting to wonder if they were anti-US types who let Iran hold them to embarass the US.

I heard last night, these Berkeley people were in Iraq to film American military abuses against Iraqis.

Maybe the National Park Service should feature the three of them in commercials extolling the beauty and safety of hiking in the US.

SS109 wrote:

towermonkey wrote: If they weren't working for the CIA or NSA, I'll eat my hat.

I heard last night, these Berkeley people were in Iraq to film American military abuses against Iraqis.

Maybe the National Park Service should feature the three of them in commercials extolling the beauty and safety of hiking in the US.

The first one seems the most reasonable to me...imagine young Berlkley morons actually using some common sense? I suppose they think if they look peaceful and non threatening, the whole world will take them in or leave them alone no matter the history of kidnappings.

As for your second thought, ya right, that sounds like an enchanting place to go for a little hike

I'm with Towermonkey on this one. Yikes!!!!

I wondered how they got visas for hiking in Iraq. It's a war zone.

they were tourists - I have no problem believing that.

Yes - you can do tourism in Kurdistan.......

US, EU, and Canadian citizens can easily secure a visa - on arrival.

(Kurdistan has its own entry requirements - and their pro-west stance makes it very easy to secure entry).

From the US Department of State

As of the date of this report, immigration officials in the Kurdistan Regional Governorate (KRG) were routinely allowing U.S. citizens to enter Iraq without a valid Iraqi visa; however, the airport-issued KRG visa is not valid outside the KRG, and U.S. citizens will not be permitted to travel within the rest of Iraq with the KRG-issued visa. In addition, it is difficult for U.S. citizens to obtain residency authorization outside the KRG without first obtaining a valid Iraqi visa.