Hue Mi
10-01-2011, 02:05 PM
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"The Kurds in Iraq and the U.S. will remain partners" (http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/9/261840/)
14/09/2011 16:07
The Kurds in Iraq have become an important partner for U.S. interests in the region. But how will this alliance develop when the U.S. turn their backs on the country? Dr. Marianna Charountaki, an expert for U.S.-Kurdish relations, believes: Everything will be alright.
Why did the U.S. and the Kurds start a relationship with each other?
The first relation of the Kurds of Iraq started in 1969 with the first U.S. aid payment to the Kurds. The simple reason was the American interest in the region: It was the Cold War and the U.S. wanted to halt Soviet influence in the Middle East. So it was not a genuine interest in "the Kurdish issue" but a pragmatic decision. The same is true for the second reason: The U.S. and Iran were allies at the time, so both, Iran and the U.S. liked the Kurds as someone who would weaken the Iraqi government. The Kurds were useful.
Did this change over the years?
The Kurds remained a card that the Americans continued to use in the game - until the last war in Iraq in 2003. This war was a turning point: Up to that time the U.S. paid aid to the Kurds as a useful tool for their policy. But beginning in 2003, the Kurds were seen as equal partners in the process of democratization of Iraq and, of course, in the fight against Saddam Hussein.
How did the Kurds benefit from this relationship?
The Kurds benefited in many ways. The existence of a de-facto state, the autonomy in the Kurdish Region, is probably the most obvious. Also the draft for its own oil-law, a presence in politics on the regional level, and recognition on the international level - such as the reception of the Kurdistan Region's President Barzani by U.S. President George W. Bush in 2005 - show that the Kurds took great advantage of this alliance.
How will the relationship develop in the future?
I believe that the Americans will continue their strong relationship with the Kurds of Iraq. The Kurds have proven to be a trustworthy ally - that's the most important reason. Secondly, it is almost inevitable for the U.S. to break up this relationship: The U.S. have invested so much in Iraq, in the Kurds and in these relations - both, politically and economically - and I don't think they would be willing to discard their investments. And thirdly, the current status of relations in the region is changing - Turkey, for example, is just re-adjusting its policy towards Iran and Israel . So the relations between the U.S. and the Kurds are something that both want to be able to count on in these days.
There will be no problems in the future?
Of course, there might be problems - as in every relationship. However, the Kurds in Iraq and the U.S. will most likely be partners for as far we can see.
by Christopher V. Unger
"The Kurds in Iraq and the U.S. will remain partners" (http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/9/261840/)
14/09/2011 16:07
The Kurds in Iraq have become an important partner for U.S. interests in the region. But how will this alliance develop when the U.S. turn their backs on the country? Dr. Marianna Charountaki, an expert for U.S.-Kurdish relations, believes: Everything will be alright.
Why did the U.S. and the Kurds start a relationship with each other?
The first relation of the Kurds of Iraq started in 1969 with the first U.S. aid payment to the Kurds. The simple reason was the American interest in the region: It was the Cold War and the U.S. wanted to halt Soviet influence in the Middle East. So it was not a genuine interest in "the Kurdish issue" but a pragmatic decision. The same is true for the second reason: The U.S. and Iran were allies at the time, so both, Iran and the U.S. liked the Kurds as someone who would weaken the Iraqi government. The Kurds were useful.
Did this change over the years?
The Kurds remained a card that the Americans continued to use in the game - until the last war in Iraq in 2003. This war was a turning point: Up to that time the U.S. paid aid to the Kurds as a useful tool for their policy. But beginning in 2003, the Kurds were seen as equal partners in the process of democratization of Iraq and, of course, in the fight against Saddam Hussein.
How did the Kurds benefit from this relationship?
The Kurds benefited in many ways. The existence of a de-facto state, the autonomy in the Kurdish Region, is probably the most obvious. Also the draft for its own oil-law, a presence in politics on the regional level, and recognition on the international level - such as the reception of the Kurdistan Region's President Barzani by U.S. President George W. Bush in 2005 - show that the Kurds took great advantage of this alliance.
How will the relationship develop in the future?
I believe that the Americans will continue their strong relationship with the Kurds of Iraq. The Kurds have proven to be a trustworthy ally - that's the most important reason. Secondly, it is almost inevitable for the U.S. to break up this relationship: The U.S. have invested so much in Iraq, in the Kurds and in these relations - both, politically and economically - and I don't think they would be willing to discard their investments. And thirdly, the current status of relations in the region is changing - Turkey, for example, is just re-adjusting its policy towards Iran and Israel . So the relations between the U.S. and the Kurds are something that both want to be able to count on in these days.
There will be no problems in the future?
Of course, there might be problems - as in every relationship. However, the Kurds in Iraq and the U.S. will most likely be partners for as far we can see.
by Christopher V. Unger