Iraqi Kurdistan – The 18% Solution

Submitted by Peter Crocco (United States), Apr 12, 2006 at 11:51

The preferred outcome in Iraq, of course, would be the formation of a unified government friendly to the U.S. and capable of suppressing Islamist extremists. If, despite our efforts, the country instead descends into civil war, it would simply be prudent to have in hand a plan to reposition our forces in such a way as to continue to protect our interests in the region. In this context, an effective response would be to redeploy to the north and establish an independent Iraqi Kurdistan as envisioned in the 1920 Treaty of Sèvres, which was never ratified. This would be a sensible and robust solution for the reasons mentioned or implied in other postings here on this topic.

Iraqi Kurdistan, comprising about 18% of the total area of Iraq, would be economically viable, militarily defensible and of strategic value against other threats in the area. Moreover, the Kurds themselves have the potential for creating the type of society we would like to see thrive in the Middle East.

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