DOCSLIB.ORG

Report on Joint Finnish-Swiss Fact-Finding Mission to Amman and the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) Area, May 10-22, 2011

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Report on Joint Finnish-Swiss Fact-Finding Mission to Amman and the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) Area, May 10-22, 2011 Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) Federal Office for Migration February 1, 2012 Report on Joint Finnish-Swiss Fact-Finding Mission to Amman and the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) Area, May 10-22, 2011 Haftungs- und Nutzungshinweis zu Quellen und Informationen Der vorliegende Bericht wurde von der Länderanalyse des Bundesamtes für Migration (BFM) zusammen mit dem Country Information Service des Finnish Immigration Service erstellt gemäss den gemeinsamen EU-Leitlinien für die Bearbeitung von Informationen über Herkunftsländer. Er wurde auf der Grundlage sorgfältig ausgewählter und öffentlich zugänglicher Informationsquellen zusammengestellt. Alle zur Verfügung stehenden Informationen wurden mit grösster Sorgfalt recherchiert, evaluiert und bearbeitet. Alle verwendeten Quellen sind referenziert. Dessen ungeachtet erhebt dieses Dokument keinen Anspruch auf Vollständigkeit. Es erlaubt auch keine abschliessende Bewertung darüber, ob ein individueller Antrag auf einen bestimmten Flüchtlingsstatus oder auf Asyl berechtigt ist. Wenn ein bestimmtes Ereignis, eine bestimmte Person oder Organisation in diesem Bericht keine Erwähnung findet, bedeutet dies nicht, dass ein solches Ereignis nicht stattgefunden hat oder dass die betreffende Person oder Organisation nicht existieren. Die Inhalte sind unabhängig verfasst und können nicht als offizielle Stellungnahme weder der Schweiz oder ihrer Behörden noch Finnlands oder seiner Behörden gewertet werden. Reservations on information, its use, and its sources This report, written by Country Analysis of the Federal Office for Migration in partnership with the Country Information Service of the Finnish Immigration Service is in line with EU Guidelines for Processing Country of Origin Information. The report draws on carefully selected sources that are referenced in the report. Information has been researched, analyzed, and edited according to best practices. However, the authors make no claim to be exhaustive. No conclusions should be drawn from this report regarding the merits of a request for refugee status or asylum. The fact that some occurrence, person, or organization is not mentioned in the report does not imply that such occurrence never happened or that a person or organization does not exist. This report is the result of independent research and editing. The views and statements expressed in this report do not necessarily represent any consensus, neither by the Swiss government or its agencies nor by the Finnish government or its agencies. Public Executive Summary / Main Findings The Swiss and Finnish Immigration services visited the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) area and its surroundings in 2007 in separate fact-finding missions (FFMs) and in May 2011 in a joint FFM. The presence of police, Peshmerga, and Asayish forces throughout the KRG area is significantly lower today than in 2007. There are fewer checkpoints, and security checks within the KRG area seemed to be less stringent than before. This does not apply to checkpoints between the KRG region and Central Iraq, however. The security situation was still tense in disputed areas in the Kirkuk, Ninawa, Diyala, and Salah al-Din governorates at the time of the joint FFM. There were pro-democracy demonstrations in Sulaymaniya and other northern governorates in the spring of 2011. The demonstrations, which were aimed at improving people’s rights and access to services while combating corruption and nepotism in the society, were suppressed by Kurdish security forces in April. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) have continued talks with opposition parties, mainly the Gorran, the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), and the Kurdistan Islamic Group (KIG), in a tense political environment. Key issues between the KRG and the government of Iraq, such as the disputed areas, hydrocarbon legislation, constitutional reform, and Peshmerga funding, remained unresolved at the time of the joint FFM. The economy in the KRG region has been booming in recent years. The fact-finding mission witnessed many new residential areas, roads, and shopping malls, as well as a modern car fleet and a newly constructed Erbil International Airport, as signs of economic success. At the same time, productivity is low, most products are imported, much of the reconstruction is done by foreign companies, prices are high, and jobs are mainly available in the public sector. Agriculture has been neglected, along with social services and job creation. The human rights situation is better in the KRG region than in the rest of Iraq, but it worsened in 2011 with the repression of independent journalists, demonstrators, and opposition parties. The situation for women has improved slightly as a result of new legislation, but there are still a significant number of honour killings in the KRG area. KRG authorities have become more aware of human rights and with the aid of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international groups have improved their practices (for instance, in the correctional treatment of prisoners). At the time of the FFM, there seemed to be little discrimination against ethnic or religious minorities. The flight of Christians from Central Iraq to the KRG area has continued since the bomb attack on a church in Baghdad in October 2010. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees are better off in the KRG area than in the rest of Iraq and generally felt safe in the region at the time of the FFM. At the same time, some suffer from poverty, remain unregistered, and lack access to proper housing, education, health care, and employment. Overall, there is noticeable growth in the health sector in the KRG area compared with the situation in 2007. People generally have access to health care. The quality and quantity of health information, specialized health services, drugs, and health care facilities need significant improvement, however. The migration potential in the KRG remains high, particularly among young unemployed Kurds and groups such as Iranian refugees, whose families have lived in local camps for decades. 3/106 Public Table of Contents 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................9 2. Security Situation........................................................................................................9 2.1. Security situation in Iraq................................................................................................9 2.2. Security situation in the KRG area ..............................................................................10 2.3. Security situation in the disputed areas ......................................................................11 3. Political Situation......................................................................................................12 3.1. Pro-democracy demonstrations in Iraq .......................................................................12 3.2. Pro-democracy demonstrations in the KRG area .......................................................13 3.3. The aftermath of the spring 2011 demonstrations ......................................................16 3.4. Opposition in KRG area politics ..................................................................................17 4. Economic and Humanitarian Situations .................................................................19 4.1. Economy .....................................................................................................................19 4.1.1. Construction boom......................................................................................................20 4.1.2. Corruption and Nepotism ............................................................................................21 4.1.3. Job opportunities / unemployment / foreign workers...................................................22 4.2. Infrastructure...............................................................................................................22 4.2.1. Regional differences ...................................................................................................22 4.2.2. Accommodations.........................................................................................................23 4.2.3. Fuel / water / electricity ...............................................................................................24 4.2.4. Traffic / telecommunications / banks...........................................................................25 4.2.5. Education ....................................................................................................................25 5. Law Enforcement ......................................................................................................27 5.1. Security forces in the KRG..........................................................................................27 5.1.1. Peshmerga..................................................................................................................27 5.1.2. Police and the Zerevani ..............................................................................................27 5.1.3. Asayish........................................................................................................................29 5.1.4. Intelligence services (Parastin and Zanyari) ...............................................................29 4/106 Public 5.2. Prisons ........................................................................................................................29
Load more

Recommended publications
  • VIEWED from the OTHER SIDE: Media Coverage and Personal Tales of Migration in Iraqi Kurdistan
    VIEWED FROM THE OTHER SIDE: Media Coverage and Personal Tales of Migration in Iraqi Kurdistan Kjersti Thorbjørnsrud, Espen Gran, Mohammed A. Salih, Sareng Aziz Viewed from the other Side: Media Coverage and Personal Tales of Migration in Iraqi Kurdistan Kjersti Thorbjørnsrud, Espen Gran, Mohammed A. Salih and Sareng Aziz IMK Report 2012 Department of Media and Communication Faculty of Humanities University of Oslo Viewed from the other side: Media Coverage and Personal Tales of Migration in Iraqi Kurdistan Contents Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ III Abbreviations..................................................................................................................... IV Executive summary ............................................................................................................. V The coverage of migration in Iraqi Kurdistan ....................................................................VI Why certain frames and stories dominate in the news – findings from elite interviews .... VII The main motivations of migration in Iraqi Kurdistan .......................................................IX The experiences of those who have returned from Europe – expectations and disappointments ................................................................................................................IX Knowledge and evaluation of European immigration and return policies ............................ X Main conclusions ..............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Turkey and Iraq: the Perils (And Prospects) of Proximity
    UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE www.usip.org SPECIAL REPORT 1200 17th Street NW • Washington, DC 20036 • 202.457.1700 • fax 202.429.6063 ABOUT THE REPORT I RAQ AND I TS N EIGHBORS Iraq’s neighbors are playing a major role—both positive and negative—in the stabilization and reconstruction of “the new Iraq.” As part of the Institute’s “Iraq and Henri J. Barkey Its Neighbors” project, a group of leading specialists on the geopolitics of the region and on the domestic politics of the individual countries is assessing the interests and influence of the countries surrounding Iraq. In addition, these specialists are examining how Turkey and Iraq the situation in Iraq is impacting U.S. bilateral relations with these countries. Henri Barkey’s report on Turkey is the first in a series of USIP special reports on “Iraq The Perils (and Prospects) of Proximity and Its Neighbors” to be published over the next few months. Next in the series will be a study on Iran by Geoffrey Kemp of the Nixon Center. The “Iraq and Its Neighbors” project is directed by Scott Lasensky of the Institute’s Research and Studies Program. For an overview of the topic, see Phebe Marr and Scott Lasensky, “An Opening at Sharm el-Sheikh,” Beirut Daily Star, November 20, 2004. Henri J. Barkey is the Bernard L. and Bertha F. Cohen Professor of international relations at Lehigh University. He served as a member of the U.S. State Department Policy Planning Staff (1998–2000), working primarily on issues related to the Middle East, the eastern Mediterranean, and intelligence matters.
    [Show full text]
  • "Where There Is a Promise, There Is a Tragedy"
    "Where there is a promise, there is a tragedy" Cross-border bombings and shellings of villages in the Kurdish region of Iraq by the nations of Turkey and Iran TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) – Iraq . 4 Introduction . 5 Part I Recent Turkish and Iranian Military Attacks into Iraq: December, 2007 – December 2009. ………………….. 7 Part II Violation of International Laws. 24 Part III A Brief History of Iraqi Kurdish/Turkish Relations. .. 31 Photographs of villagers of Zharawa . 41 APPENDICES Appendix 1 Glossary of abbreviations. 44 Appendix 2 Military Action Calendar (August, 2008 – June, 2009). 46 Appendix 3 Turkish bases in Iraq . 52 Appendix 4 Maps . 54 __________________ Cover Art from the Kurdish Textile Museum: a sample of Iraqi Kurdish textile weaving of the Keji design. The weaving, made of wool, contains a pre-historic symbol for peace and happiness. This piece is from a belt. The belt, traditionally made by young girls or their mothers, is used to tie the girl's dowry together. The title quotation for the report is from the grandfather of a Kurdish friend of CPT; it means that every time governments have promised something to the Kurds, a tragedy inevitably followed. - 2 - Dedication The authors wish to dedicate this report to the over 1 million displaced villagers that have entrusted us with their tears and sorrow, hopes and dreams and their desire to return to a life of dignity. During the 2 year period in which CPT collected the research for this report, we have come to love and respect these villagers. We recognize their tremendous determination and tenacity to preserve village life and their desire to be contributing members of Kurdish society within the KRG.
    [Show full text]
  • Organising and Contesting the 2017 Kurdish Referendum on Independence: Political Opportunities, Mobilisation Structures and Framing Processes in Iraqi- Kurdistan
    Organising and Contesting the 2017 Kurdish Referendum on Independence: Political Opportunities, Mobilisation Structures and Framing Processes in Iraqi- Kurdistan Tim Bogers 5506727 Utrecht University 2 August 2019 A Thesis submitted to the Board of Examiners in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Arts in Conflict Studies & Human Rights Supervisor: dr. Chris van der Borgh Date of submission: 2 August 2019 Program trajectory: Research and Thesis Writing (30 ECTS) Word count: 23.798 Cover page picture: Kurdish flags at the pro-Kurdistan referendum and pro-Kurdistan independence rally at Franso Hariri Stadium, Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (Levi Clancy, 2017). 2 Acknowledgements First and foremost I would like to thank all my respondents who were kind enough to make time for me and share valuable insights and information concerning the referendum; without their cooperation this research could not have been conducted. I would particularly like to thank my thesis supervisor, dr. Chris van der Borgh, who has always supported me and provided me with useful feedback and suggestions on how to improve both my research and my thesis. Furthermore, I would like to thank Saba Azeem, who was so kind as to provide me with valuable context at the beginning of my research and share her experiences in the Iraqi- Kurdistan region with me. In addition, she provided me with access to her networks in Iraqi- Kurdistan, which really helped me kick-starting my research. Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who has provided me with feedback on this thesis and who has supported me throughout the research and thesis writing processes.
    [Show full text]
  • Iraq: Opposition to the Government in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI)
    Country Policy and Information Note Iraq: Opposition to the government in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) Version 2.0 June 2021 Preface Purpose This note provides country of origin information (COI) and analysis of COI for use by Home Office decision makers handling particular types of protection and human rights claims (as set out in the Introduction section). It is not intended to be an exhaustive survey of a particular subject or theme. It is split into two main sections: (1) analysis and assessment of COI and other evidence; and (2) COI. These are explained in more detail below. Assessment This section analyses the evidence relevant to this note – i.e. the COI section; refugee/human rights laws and policies; and applicable caselaw – by describing this and its inter-relationships, and provides an assessment of, in general, whether one or more of the following applies: • A person is reasonably likely to face a real risk of persecution or serious harm • The general humanitarian situation is so severe as to breach Article 15(b) of European Council Directive 2004/83/EC (the Qualification Directive) / Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights as transposed in paragraph 339C and 339CA(iii) of the Immigration Rules • The security situation presents a real risk to a civilian’s life or person such that it would breach Article 15(c) of the Qualification Directive as transposed in paragraph 339C and 339CA(iv) of the Immigration Rules • A person is able to obtain protection from the state (or quasi state bodies) • A person is reasonably able to relocate within a country or territory • A claim is likely to justify granting asylum, humanitarian protection or other form of leave, and • If a claim is refused, it is likely or unlikely to be certifiable as ‘clearly unfounded’ under section 94 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002.
    [Show full text]
  • Blood and Ballots the Effect of Violence on Voting Behavior in Iraq
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Göteborgs universitets publikationer - e-publicering och e-arkiv DEPTARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE BLOOD AND BALLOTS THE EFFECT OF VIOLENCE ON VOTING BEHAVIOR IN IRAQ Amer Naji Master’s Thesis: 30 higher education credits Programme: Master’s Programme in Political Science Date: Spring 2016 Supervisor: Andreas Bågenholm Words: 14391 Abstract Iraq is a very diverse country, both ethnically and religiously, and its political system is characterized by severe polarization along ethno-sectarian loyalties. Since 2003, the country suffered from persistent indiscriminating terrorism and communal violence. Previous literature has rarely connected violence to election in Iraq. I argue that violence is responsible for the increases of within group cohesion and distrust towards people from other groups, resulting in politicization of the ethno-sectarian identities i.e. making ethno-sectarian parties more preferable than secular ones. This study is based on a unique dataset that includes civil terror casualties one year before election, the results of the four general elections of January 30th, and December 15th, 2005, March 7th, 2010 and April 30th, 2014 as well as demographic and socioeconomic indicators on the provincial level. Employing panel data analysis, the results show that Iraqi people are sensitive to violence and it has a very negative effect on vote share of secular parties. Also, terrorism has different degrees of effect on different groups. The Sunni Arabs are the most sensitive group. They change their electoral preference in response to the level of violence. 2 Acknowledgement I would first like to thank my advisor Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • From Amphipolis to Mosul, New Approaches to Cultural Heritage Preservation in the Eastern Mediterranean
    THE FUTURE OF THE PAST: From Amphipolis to Mosul, New Approaches to Cultural Heritage Preservation in the Eastern Mediterranean Editors Konstantinos Chalikias, Maggie Beeler, Ariel Pearce, and Steve Renette http://futureofthepast.wix.com/culturalheritage HERITAGE, CONSERVATION & ARCHAEOLOGY ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF AMERICA Contents 1. The Future of the Past: From Amphipolis to Mosul, New Approaches to Cultural Heritage Preservation in the Eastern Mediterranean .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Konstantinos Chalikias, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Maggie Beeler, Bryn Mawr College, Ariel Pearce, Temple University, and Steve Renette, University of Pennsylvania 2. Go, Do Good! Responsibility and the Future of Cultural Heritage in the Eastern Mediterranean in the 21st Century ........... 5 Morag M. Kersel, DePaul University 3. Contested Antiquities, Contested Histories: The City of David as an Example ........................................................................... 11 Rannfrid I. Thelle, Wichita State University 4. Cultural Racketeering in Egypt—Predicting Patterns in Illicit Activity: Quantitative Tools of the 21st-Century Archaeologist .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Katie A. Paul, The Antiquities Coalition
    [Show full text]
  • From the Heart of Kurdistan Region
    From the Heart of Kurdistan Region The only English paper in Iraq - No: 564 Mon. January 23, 2017 _ “Serious work and fewer words should be done on independence.” _ Barzani GLOBE PHOTO The Kurdish Globe No. 564, Monday, January 23, 2017 2 The Card KRG to Iran on Saudi consulate of the PKK and row: no one is entitled to request a consulate be closed in Erbil Narrowness in Politics! By | Gazi Hassan In recent years, the public civil and also some parties use PKK struggle and movement in Northee against KDP in the internal conflict, ern Kurdistan served PKK as an while KDP will not hesitate in using armed force a great deal, whilst the its cards against the games playing No one is entitled to ree Region destabilizes peace serious stance on these ire civil struggle has caused disputes in against it. quest that a consulate be and causes chaos. responsible statements and their view regarding the future of Iran has called on Saudi Arabia for closed in Erbil, the Kurde Mohammad Hossein also takes steps to prevent their public position in Kurdistan. cooperation in solving the problems istan Regional Governe Rajabi, the commander of them from recurring,” the The people who were about to ese and the conflicts in Syria, Yemen, ment (KRG) said Sunday the powerful Islamic Reve KRG's statement read. tablish the rights, role and identity Bahrain and other places. To what in a statement responding olutionary Guards (IRGC) “These unacceptable of Kurds in Turkey, were causing this Iran’s new stance is related? to remarks made by an Irae in the Kurdish province
    [Show full text]
  • Gericht Entscheidungsdatum Geschäftszahl Spruch Text
    08.11.2019 Gericht BVwG Entscheidungsdatum 08.11.2019 Geschäftszahl I415 2224340-1 Spruch I415 2224340-1/5E IM NAMEN DER REPUBLIK! Das Bundesverwaltungsgericht hat durch den Richter Mag. Hannes LÄSSER über die Beschwerde von XXXX, geb. XXXX, Staatsangehörigkeit Irak, gesetzlich vertreten durch die Mutter XXXX, geb. XXXX, diese vertreten durch Diakonie Flüchtlingsdienst gemeinnützige GmbH und Volkshilfe Flüchtlings- und MigrantInnenbetreuung GmbH als Mitglieder der ARGE Rechtsberatung - Diakonie und Volkshilfe und den MigrantInnenverein St. Marx, gegen den Bescheid des Bundesamtes für Fremdenwesen und Asyl vom 09.09.2019, Zl. XXXX, zu Recht erkannt: A) Die Beschwerde wird als unbegründet abgewiesen. B) Die Revision ist gemäß Art. 133 Abs. 4 B-VG nicht zulässig. Text ENTSCHEIDUNGSGRÜNDE: I. Verfahrensgang: Die Eltern des minderjährigen Beschwerdeführers und zwei minderjährige Brüder und die minderjährige Schwester des Beschwerdeführers stellten am 31.12.2015 nach ihrer schlepperunterstützten unrechtmäßigen Einreise in das Bundesgebiet vor einem Organ des öffentlichen Sicherheitsdienstes einen Antrag auf internationalen Schutz. Die Genannten sind Staatsangehörige des Irak und gehören der kurdischen Volksgruppe an. Im Rahmen der niederschriftlichen Erstbefragung vor Organen des öffentlichen Sicherheitsdienstes der Polizeiinspektion XXXX am Tag der Antragstellung legte der Vater des Beschwerdeführers dar, den Namen XXXX zu führen. Er sei am XXXX1985 in XXXX geboren, Angehöriger der kurdischen Volksgruppe und bekenne sich zum Islam. Zuletzt habe er in Erbil gelebt und als Hilfsarbeiter gearbeitet. Im Hinblick auf den Reiseweg brachte der Vater des Beschwerdeführers zusammengefasst vor, den Irak am 10.12.2015 mit der Mutter des Beschwerdeführers und den gemeinsamen Kindern legal von Erbil ausgehend auf dem Landweg in die Türkei verlassen zu haben.
    [Show full text]
  • IRAQ: MONTHLY PROTECTION UPDATE 28 May - 1 July 2018
    IRAQ: MONTHLY PROTECTION UPDATE 28 May - 1 July 2018 PROTECTION HIGHLIGHTS: At least 2,258 families departed camps and informal settlements for their areas of origin and other locations. Many returns continue to be premature with many families who had tried to return home or relocate, returning to camps because they were unable to cope. Denial of return of families with perceived affiliations with extremists continue to be reported in Anbar, Kirkuk, Ninewa and Salah al-Din governorates. In addition, some facilitated returns left families in secondary displacement due to insufficient coordination with local security actors in the IDPs’ area of origin. Threats of forced evictions and relocations were reported in several camps and three informal settlements in Salah al-Din. Confiscation of legal documents to pressure families to return has also been reported on several occasions. Affected Population 3.8 million to their of origin while 2 million are still displaced in Center-South areas. Protection Monitoring* 151,847 740,498 38% of families with no income 3,225 unaccompanied or separated children 21% of families missing civil documentation * The data reflects people displaced in Centre-South governorates after March 2016 . Disclaimer: The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the united nations. Security developments and displacement tor the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Office directive on ‘’Maintaining the civilian char- During the reporting period, numerous security incidents including clashes between extremist acter of camps” from April 2017. and military or government-affiliated armed groups were reported in Ninewa and different parts of the Centre/South of Iraq.
    [Show full text]
  • Kurds Kidnapped the Day While Maintaining the Ban on Its Civil Servants
    INSTITUT KURDDE PARIS E Information and liaison bulletin N°425 AUGUST 2020 The publication of this Bulletin enjoys a subsidy from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture & City of Paris ______________ This bulletin is issued in French and English Price per issue : France: 6 € — Abroad : 7,5 € Annual subscribtion (12 issues) France : 60 € — Elsewhere : 75 € Monthly review Directeur de la publication : Mohamad HASSAN ISBN 0761 1285 INSTITUT KURDE, 106, rue La Fayette - 75010 PARIS Tel. : 01-48 24 64 64 - Fax : 01-48 24 64 66 www.fikp.org E-mail: [email protected] Information and liaison bulletin Kurdish Institute of Paris Bulletin N° 425 August 2020 • IRAQ: TWO OFFICERS OF THE IRAQI BORDER GUARDS KILLED BY A TURKISH DRONE • ROJAVA: KIDNAPPING, TORTURE, RAPE, MURDER... EVIDENCE OF THE CRIMES OF THE TURKISH OCCUPATION FORCES IS ACCUMULATING • TURKEY: EXACTIONS AGAINST WOMEN ARE MULTIPLE • IRAN: MASS TWITTER CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE ASSASSINATION OF KOLBARS, CALL FOR THE ACQUITTAL OF A KURDISH TEACHER • KURDISH LANGUAGE, PUBLICATIONS IRAQ: TWO OFFICERS OF THE IRAQI BORDER GUARDS KILLED BY A TURKISH DRONE ince the reopening of the to the Region from several Health called on cured patients to borders with Iran last countries, while conversely, donate their plasma for patients May, both Iraq and Turkey stopped flights to the developing severe forms of the Kurdistan are Region. Passengers leaving the infection. After more than twenty experiencing a dramatic Region must show a negative cases appeared, two villages in S increase in the figures of COVID test of less than 48 hours Akre district (Dohuk) were placed the pandemic..
    [Show full text]
  • Kurdistan Rising? Considerations for Kurds, Their Neighbors, and the Region
    KURDISTAN RISING? CONSIDERATIONS FOR KURDS, THEIR NEIGHBORS, AND THE REGION Michael Rubin AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE Kurdistan Rising? Considerations for Kurds, Their Neighbors, and the Region Michael Rubin June 2016 American Enterprise Institute © 2016 by the American Enterprise Institute. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used or reproduced in any man- ner whatsoever without permission in writing from the American Enterprise Institute except in the case of brief quotations embodied in news articles, critical articles, or reviews. The views expressed in the publications of the American Enterprise Institute are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff, advisory panels, officers, or trustees of AEI. American Enterprise Institute 1150 17th St. NW Washington, DC 20036 www.aei.org. Cover image: Grand Millennium Sualimani Hotel in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan, by Diyar Muhammed, Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons. Contents Executive Summary 1 1. Who Are the Kurds? 5 2. Is This Kurdistan’s Moment? 19 3. What Do the Kurds Want? 27 4. What Form of Government Will Kurdistan Embrace? 56 5. Would Kurdistan Have a Viable Economy? 64 6. Would Kurdistan Be a State of Law? 91 7. What Services Would Kurdistan Provide Its Citizens? 101 8. Could Kurdistan Defend Itself Militarily and Diplomatically? 107 9. Does the United States Have a Coherent Kurdistan Policy? 119 Notes 125 Acknowledgments 137 About the Author 139 iii Executive Summary wo decades ago, most US officials would have been hard-pressed Tto place Kurdistan on a map, let alone consider Kurds as allies. Today, Kurds have largely won over Washington.
    [Show full text]