SULAIMANI FORUM دﯾﺪاری ﺳﻠﻧﯽ ﻣﻠﺘﻘﻰ اﻟﺴﻠﻴﻧﻴﺔ The Second Annual Sulaimani Forum “Navigating Challenges in the Middle East” AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF IRAQ SULAIMANI The American University of Iraq, Sulaimani Sulaimani – Kirkuk Main Road, Raparin Sulaimani, Iraq Tel: +964 (0)53-330-1011 E-mail:
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[email protected] twitter.com/IRISmideast The Second Annual Sulaimani Forum “Navigating Challenges in the Middle East” American University of Iraq, Sulaimani March 4 & 5, 2014 Conference Proceedings edited by Elizabeth Schmitz Sponsored by Table of Contents 6 Introduction 8 In Their Own Words 12 Executive Summary 14 Opening Plenary Session 18 Iraq: An Insider’s Perspective 24 Iraq’s Challenges in 2014 and Beyond 30 The Iranian Diplomatic ‘Shift’: Understanding Interests, Motives, and Implications 38 Syria’s Current Status and Future Prospects 48 Turkey: Internal Developments and External Relations 56 Realities of Investing in Iraq 62 The Tigris and Euphrates Dilemma: Water as an Instrument for Cooperation across the Region 68 The Future of Ethno-Sectarian Conflicts in the Middle East 74 Iraq Oil Policy: Implications for Domestic Politics, Ramifications for Regional Stability 80 Conclusion 88 #SuliForum on Social Media Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS) The Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS) examines the region’s most complex issues through rigorous scholarship, advanced research, and open dialogue among academics and influential public leaders. Drawing on the diversity of expertise at AUIS, the Institute researches historic, political, cultural, social, economic, scientific, and anthropological aspects of the KRG, Iraq and the Middle East.