Kurdish Wild Card Could Lead to Solution in Iraq
A political science professor I know who is an avid student of modern history proffered an interesting solution to the Iraq problem. Precedented on the timely death of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, he suggested that Iraq's neighbors might be strong-armed into forcing a solution to the Middle Eastern mire. He proposed bringing Iran, Syria and Turkey to the bargaining table. Threatened with the imminent declaration of a Independent Kurdish Republic whose borders would be guaranteed and fiercely protected by the United States, he felt a solution might be forced.
How could this work? The Kurds are compactly settled primarily in northern Iraq. They are the only ethnic group in Iraq that has worked together to form a semblance of government. They are the only group that has been successful in policing itself and maintaining some sort of order. They have shown they have the ability and desire to stand alone as a successful nation.
Why would the formation of a Kurdish state motivate Iran, Syria and Turkey? The Kurds have never had a homeland. The formation of a Kurdish state would draw in the Kurdish populations in neighboring Syria, Turkey and Iran and the land they live on, creating considerable problems for their current host countries. To avoid rebellion within their own borders, those countries might see a significant advantage in hammering out a solution in Iraq.
Would it work? Who knows. Is it likely to happen? Probably not. But it certainly is an interesting idea. Personally, I think the Kurds have shown themselves to be more deserving of a chance at independence than any other group in Iraq. I say, chop off the north of Iraq into a Kurdish state and let the rest of them sink into the mire.
How could this work? The Kurds are compactly settled primarily in northern Iraq. They are the only ethnic group in Iraq that has worked together to form a semblance of government. They are the only group that has been successful in policing itself and maintaining some sort of order. They have shown they have the ability and desire to stand alone as a successful nation.
Why would the formation of a Kurdish state motivate Iran, Syria and Turkey? The Kurds have never had a homeland. The formation of a Kurdish state would draw in the Kurdish populations in neighboring Syria, Turkey and Iran and the land they live on, creating considerable problems for their current host countries. To avoid rebellion within their own borders, those countries might see a significant advantage in hammering out a solution in Iraq.
Would it work? Who knows. Is it likely to happen? Probably not. But it certainly is an interesting idea. Personally, I think the Kurds have shown themselves to be more deserving of a chance at independence than any other group in Iraq. I say, chop off the north of Iraq into a Kurdish state and let the rest of them sink into the mire.
