Well, the NYTimes didn't quite get Turkish singer Ibrahim Tatlises' name right in the photo caption (who the hell is Ibrahim Tatiless?), but the story about Turkey's wide influence in Iraq by Anthony Shadid is quality. As Shadid writes, the Turks have done an exceptional job of transcending ethnic and sectarian boundaries and now stand to benefit from Iraq's possible success as much as any other country. 

Tatlises, a Turk with Arab and Kurdish blood born in the Southern city of Urfa, may well be the perfect symbol of Turkey's outreach in Iraq. Just 'cause, here is a scene from Ibo's 1985 film "Sevmek" (Love) that in my mind pretty much sums up the singer's continued popularity.