dr. mutlaq, another question here on the criticism of iraq. alex asks the kurdistan, safe, secure and prosperous and has been spared from the violence by and large. what role can the kurds play in combating the isis in anbar province? >> the kurds are doing a good job in combating al qaeda, and the region but they're not doing much in the other regions of iraq. all of us would expect some more help from the kurdish area to stop the infiltration of al qaeda inside iraq and also to take some measure to stop them from coming there. but their main concern now is the region. i don't think they are playing a role in defeating of al qaeda. >> sam at csis asks the question about history. you asked for america's help to fight resistance. last year prime minister al-maliki visited washington, sat right here where you are sitting, and made a similar request. iit america's assistance is so central to iraq's efforts against extremism, why was the status of forces agreement not extended at the end of 2011? this is a historical question i think. >> it happen