The KurdisTan region: Str ategic U.S. ally in a toUgh neighborhood

A Special Report Prepared By The Washington Times Advocacy Department And Kurdistan24 The Kurdistan Region: Strategic U.S. Ally in a Tough Neighborhood

Kurdistan24 (K24), launched in 2015, provides up-to-date, impartial and quality information to an audience of over 30 million Kurdish speakers in the region. It delivers news and opinion across a range of media — television, radio and the web, including television broadcasts in the two major Kurdish dialects, Sorani and Kurmanji. K24 also provides web content in Kurdish, English, Turkish, Arabic, and Persian. The news company is headquartered in Erbil, Kurdistan and has offices in the major cities of the Kurdistan Region; three Turkish cities: Istanbul, Ankara, Diyarbakir; Qamishli, Syria; Baghdad, Iraq; Tehran, Iran; Moscow, Brussels, and Washington, D.C. You can find K24 on the web at: http://www.kurdistan24.net/

Table of Contents

Why America should support independent Kurdistan . . . . . 4 Understanding the Kurdistan Region Noreldin Waisy as a strategic U .S . ally ...... 22 Laurie Mylroie Give Iraqi Kurds a nation they can call their own ...... 6 Rep. Dana Rohrabacher The Peshmerga: Fearsome, fearless fighters ...... 23 Michael Pregent Kurdish independence will stabilize the region ...... 6 Rep. Trent Franks Key factors beckon support for Iraqi Kurds ...... 24 Lt. Gen. Jay Garner U .S . and the Kurdish Region: A ‘remarkable partnership’. . . . 7 Rep. Joe Wilson The Kurds: Potential strategic partners the U .S . deserves . . . 25 Dr. Dlawer Ala’Aldeen Ghastly 1988 attack on Kurdistan must not be forgotten. . . . 7 Rep. Marsha Blackburn Kurdistan referendum is legitimate ...... 26 Dr. Walid Phares Self-determination will lead to prosperity, stability ...... 8 Masrour Barzani The threatened future of Christianity in Iraq ...... 28 Archbishop Bashar Warda, C.Ss.R. TMENT

AR Embrace the Kurdish independence referendum ...... 10 Ambassador Nancy Soderberg Kurdistan: A proven sanctuary and ‘safe haven’ for refugees . . 29

Y D EP Robert A. Destro and Carole A. O’Leary C

A Kurdistan referendum stands on ‘solid legal footing’ . . . . . 12 David Tafuri

VOC ‘We must seek the most promising scenario’ ...... 30 Medlum Merogi Can the Kurds win public — and American — support? . . . . 14 Dr. Douglas Layton What is next for refugees in Kurdistan? ...... 31 Awat Mustafa and Mariette Hägglund Kurds: No longer the forgotten people ...... 16 Col. Norvell B. DeAtkine Independence will open doors to investment in Kurdistan ...... 32 INGTON TIME S AD ASH INGTON Don’t blame the Kurds for Iraq’s unraveling...... 17 Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman David L. Phillips

Y T H E W Kurdistan Region: Untapped economic potential ...... 33 ‘The Kurdish moment has come’ ...... 18 Dr. Sasha Toperich Stephen Mansfield AR E D B Confronting the current Middle East alignment ...... 34 5 reasons for U .S . to support an independent Kurdistan . . . . 20 Admiral James A. Lyons

T P R EP Brig. Gen. Ernie Audino Negotiating an amicable split: It’s time for Kurdistan The Kurds: An excellent example of ‘what can be’ ...... 21 and Iraq to go their separate ways ...... 35 Gen. Anthony Zinni Falah Mustafa Bakir AL R EPO A S PECI THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON

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Special Sections are multipage tabloid products that run in The Washington Times daily newspaper and are posted online and in PDF form onits website. Sponsors and advertisers collaborate with The Times’ advertising and marketing departments to highlight a variety of issues and events, such as The Power of Prayer, North Korea’s • 2017 27 • July Thursday Nuclear Threat, Gun Rights Policy Conference and Rolling Thunder Memorial Day Tribute to Veterans. Unless otherwise identified, Special Sections areprepared separately 2 ADVOCACY/SPECIAL SECTIONS and without involvement from the Times’ newsroom and editorial staff. A S PECI AL R EPO T P R EP AR E D B Y T H E W INGTONASH TIME S AD THE WASHINGTON TIMES VOC A C Y D EP AR TMENT | Thursday • July 27 • 2017

3 Photo Credit: Kurdistan Iraq Tours LLC/Tour Guide Why America should support independent Kurdistan

(KRG) will hold a referendum on inde- fallen apart amid violent conflict, which Region remain extremely grateful to pendence on Sept. 25. We expect that an was exported to the rest of the world in America for this. TMENT

AR overwhelming majority of the people the form of terrorism. The Kurdistan Region is the only will vote in favor of independence. However, the Kurdistan Region has area in the Muslim Middle East where

Y D EP We believe that this manifestation remained peaceful. both the government and the people are C

A of the will of the Kurdish people for In fact, we have become a haven for friendly to America and its values. A an independent Kurdistan will work in others. Nearly 2 million people fleeing country like Saudi Arabia may be a U.S. VOC America’s favor and help promote stabil- the Islamic State have found refuge in ally on an official level, but Riyadh keeps ity in the region. the Kurdistan Region. Despite the large its distance because elements of the We also believe that it will be difficult number — 40 percent of the indigenous population are hostile. That dualism does for Western countries to ignore that vote Kurdish population — and our limited not exist in Kurdistan: The people sup- — or at least to do so in good conscience. resources, we have taken them in. port the government in its pro-American After all, if the peoples of Quebec, We are a hospitable and tolerant policy. Scotland and Catalonia are entitled to a people, and most of us have been refu- Thus, an independent Kurdistan could INGTON TIME S AD ASH INGTON referendum on independence, by what gees ourselves. well prove America’s closest and truest legitimate logic can the Kurds be denied Second, the Kurdistan Region has Muslim ally — which would certainly

Y T H E W the same right? shown that we are not a threat to anyone go far in explaining Iran’s hostility to our By Noreldin Waisy In the Kurdistan Region, the people in the region. By and large, our borders referendum. do not feel part of a political entity called are quiet. Ironically, the country that has These issues are of vital concern to AR E D B urdistan24, in conjunction Iraq. We have not forgotten Saddam taken the strongest stand against our the Kurdish people. But we recognize with The Washington Hussein’s brutal repression in which independence referendum is Iran, even that the perspective of the U.S., as a

T P R EP Times, is sponsoring he sought to obliterate our identity as a as others, including Americans, would global superpower, is different. The U.S. a conference on Capi- separate and distinct people. Every year claim that Iran will gain from our inde- national security agenda is very crowded, tol Hill, entitled, “The on Anfal Memorial Day, we recall the pendence. Tehran clearly has a different and Kurds are a relatively small part of it. Kurdistan Region: Stra- Baathist regime’s genocidal campaign view. It is unlikely that U.S. policymak- tegic U.S. Ally in a Tough against us. Third, we have demonstrated an en- ers have rigorously considered all the Neighborhood.” For the past 25 years — since the 1991 during commitment to partnership with implications of our referendum and of AL R EPO A S PECI THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON

We are holding this event at a time Gulf War — the Kurdistan Region has America. The people of the Kurdistan Kurdistan independence. That is why we | K of major change in the Middle East. been an independent, self-governing Region are extremely friendly to the are holding this conference: to present A century ago, Kurdistan was divided political entity. A whole generation U.S., and with good reason. Between 1991 crucial information and vital perspec- among four countries against the will of has grown up for which the national and 2003, a “no-fly zone,” enforced by tives to an important U.S. audience the Kurdish people — despite Ameri- language of Iraq, that is Arabic, is the U.S., protected us against Saddam’s whose decisions and opinions matter can promises of self-determination, as incomprehensible. depredations. so much to a people, much smaller in embodied in Woodrow Wilson’s famous In that quarter of a century, the Kurd- Rather than fight America and us, numbers, but whose yearnings, including “Fourteen Points.” istan Region has demonstrated several Saddam chose to ignore the Kurdistan our thirst for freedom, are surprisingly We think that it is time, indeed long crucial points. Region. American protection was a cru- like Americans. past time, for the international com- First, it has shown that it is perfectly cial factor in allowing us our first dozen

• 2017 27 • July Thursday munity to recognize the right that was capable of self-government. In that same years of self-rule, which have laid the Noreldin Waisy is the General Man- denied the Kurds 100 years ago. period, four Middle Eastern states — institutional foundations for our indepen- ager of Kurdistan24 News Network. He 4 The Kurdistan Regional Government Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Libya — have all dent state. The people of the Kurdistan can be followed on Twitter @nwaisy A S PECI AL R EPO T P R EP AR E D B Y T H E W INGTONASH TIME S AD THE WASHINGTON TIMES VOC A C Y D EP AR TMENT | Thursday • July 27 • 2017

5 Give Iraqi Kurds a nation they can call their own

what every other people in the world I said then, and I will repeat it now, faiths, we can make this a better world. long for and many people have achieved. the Kurdish people deserve our grati- Yes, there are dozens of issues to That is a country that reflects their own tude. The Kurdistan Regional Govern- be ironed out — over a homeland for people. ment and especially Nechirvan Barzani, minorities such as Turkmen, Yezidis The borders of Iraq are not sacro- should be recognized and applauded for and Christians, over the sharing of oil sanct, and in fact are the contrivance of their courage and generosity in provid- revenues and use of transportation infra- British and French diplomats working ing refuge to 2 million desperate and structure to ports. Yet, there is no reason behind closed doors at the end of World displaced persons, many of whom are to believe that neighboring countries will War I. Just because some fat old Brit- Christians. Of the 6 million people living be less cooperative to the United States ish colonialist drew the lines this way in Kurdistan, close to 2 million are there if an independent democracy appears doesn’t mean that we have to stick with seeking shelter from bloodthirsty ISIS in the region. On the contrary, it sends them forever. militants who have committing unspeak- a message to those countries that the At the very least, Kurds deserve, in able crimes against them. Men, women United States respects and honors its whatever country in which they live, and children — singled out as Christians partners. their own self-governing state — whether — are being brutally driven from their The Kurdish government and people it’s in Iraq or in Syria or in Iran. ancient homeland with only the clothes have earned our support, both for their They have every right to self-govern- on their backs. generosity and their courageous, bloody By Rep. Dana Rohrabacher ment, to their own schools, to their own The protection offered by the Kurds battle against an evil that threatens to language, and to their own culture. is a tribute to their historic benevolence overwhelm the Middle East and put the he Kurds of northern Iraq Having led a congressional delegation and speaks well of their values as a United States and other countries in have demonstrated their to Iraq over the Christmas break in late people. Kurdistan extends this generos- jeopardy. It is long since past time that commitment to open and 2014, I witnessed first-hand the humani- ity, even while its own resources and we recognize the Kurdish people as an honest government and to tarian crisis caused by the ISIS uprising infrastructure are severely strained. This independent nation and not a subjugated their loyalty to the United in the region six months earlier, and I humanitarian gesture, itself a drama of province of Iraq. States and the West. I think observed the remarkable human com- biblical dimension, shows Muslim, Yazidi they deserve a chance at passion of the Kurdish people. Almost and Christian believers can live in peace Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, California independence. The U.S. and Iraqi govern- overnight, the Kurdish Regional Govern- and together resist the common evil of Republican, is chairman of the House Tments should support them. ment’s population of 4 million jumped to religious intolerance. Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Eu- Kurdish people, who are the largest 6 million, due to the influx of desperate We may look at this display of com- rope, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats. ethnicity in the world without a state to refugees from the Nineveh Plain and mon purpose in Kurdistan as an example claim as their own, deserve to be given from the northern cities of Iraq. of how, united with people of other TMENT AR Y D EP C

A Kurdish independence will stabilize the region VOC efforts will not be forgotten. bureaucratic barriers to bringing military way to the Mediterranean coast. Turkey, Let’s address the counter-argument aid directly to the Kurdish forces, who once a reliable ally to the West, now has first, namely, that the more we support are the most proven effective units in dictatorship government leaning toward the Kurds in Nineveh and along the the region. Stability can only start after Islamism. The reliably secular govern- disputed areas, the more that we put eradicating the forces that threaten the ment in the Northern Iraq is a proven ourselves against the Sunni Arab com- safety of the citizens of Northern Iraq. ally the United States needs. munity that might otherwise join us in The battle of Mosul in Northern Iraq Third, there is reason to believe that INGTON TIME S AD ASH INGTON fighting ISIS. This argument contends is over, but the war is not. Months of minorities will have better protection that only a unified nation centered close combat remain for the Iraqi Secu- under a Kurdish government than a

Y T H E W in Baghdad can broker an agreement rity Forces and for Western Coalition Baghdad-based one. One of the largest between the Sunni Arabs in the west, the advisers close to them. We can thank the minorities suffering genocide under ISIS minorities in the Nineveh Plain and the Kurdish military, that is the Peshmerga, are the Kurdish-speaking Yezidi people, AR E D B Kurds in the north. for pushing ISIS back on its eastern flank 500,000 in number. Virtually all of the The premise of this argument is that at the beginning of the drive to reclaim 300,000 remaining Assyrian Christians

T P R EP Iraq is a pluralistic nation state in a lib- Mosul last year. The Kurdish military did found refuge in Kurdistan during the eral sense. It is not. This ancient territory this without access to the heavy arms last three years. Many are there now and has many tribal elements in many differ- and medical supplies that were chan- cannot return to their homeland due to By Rep. Trent Franks ent respects, and Washington policymak- neled by legal necessity to Baghdad and the lack of security from the Baghdad ers have erred by clinging to the idea that never made it to Erbil. That is why in the government. The Kurds of Northern Iraq will we must fully democratize a place with last Congress we pushed an amendment We have to support our friends who AL R EPO A S PECI THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON

hold a referendum on independence deep but divergent historical and cultural to the National Defense Authorization were there for freedom when the times | in September, and the question before roots. In fact, the people in Nineveh and Act (NDAA) to directly arm the Kurdish were most difficult. The Kurds have dem- Congress is whether we should support Anbar Provinces that supported al Qaeda military. An independent Kurdish nation onstrated their commitment. I encourage their dream of self-determination or vote in 2003 and ISIS today are opposed to will have a stronger military and will give the Trump administration to hold them to make it a dream deferred. democracy in principle. They will not greater support to the anti-ISIS coalition. in partnership in this fight against the When ISIS attacked Iraq, there was change their minds regardless of whether Second, an independent Kurdistan scourge of ISIS and jihadist terrorism one group that stood up to ISIS from the the Kurds are independent. can serve as a valuable buffer zone across the world. beginning, and they didn’t do it because On the other hand, there are compel- between Iran on the east and an increas- it was easy, nor because they thought ling reasons to believe that allowing the ingly unstable Turkey on the north. It is Rep. Trent Franks, Arizona Repub- they would gain financial support; they Kurds of Northern Iraq to have their own well known that the ayatollahs in Iran lican, servces on the House Armed

• 2017 27 • July Thursday did it because they believe in the cause of nation will hasten military victory over regard the United States as an enemy, Services and Judiciary Committees. human freedom. The Kurds are a noble ISIS and bring stability to the region. and their goal is to forge a sphere of 6 people. In the councils of eternity, their First, it will end the absurd control extending through Iraq all the U.S. and the Kurdish Region: A ‘remarkable partnership’

was secure with a robust economy, and gas industries but also by develop- disrupting the balance of power with in great contrast to the oppression of ing other sectors, including tourism and extraordinary violence as nations pre- the other Iraqi regions. I have been so encouraging foreign direct investment. serve existing boundaries. impressed by the leaders and people Disappointing, though not unsur- Additionally, one of the most sig- of the Kurdish region that I served as prising, Kurdistan’s economic advance- nificant reason to protect the territorial a founding co-chairman of the Kurdish ments have diminished in the past few integrity of Iraq is the fact that this is Regional Caucus. years, given the rise in ISIS, increase in what the country — including the Kurd- There is no better example of refugees and deterioration of security. ish Regional Government — agreed to U.S. cooperation with Iraqi Kurds on However, I am optimistic that as Kurd- in the nation’s 2005 constitution. While combatting terrorism than the libera- istan makes positive advancements that I appreciate the concerns that the Iraqi tion of Mosul. In June, the Islamic State government has not fully upheld the was finally driven out of Mosul — the agreement with the Kurds, specifically territorial stronghold in Northern in regards to territory and oil revenue- Iraq that they have held for nearly two I am hopeful that as the sharing, I believe the United States years. This accomplishment was made security and economic could play a greater role in helping to possible because of the success of the situations improve, facilitate the renewal and upkeep of the Kurdish Peshmerga and their collabora- the region can return agreement. By Rep. Joe Wilson tion with Iraqi forces. While this was Kurdistan has been, and continues to one of the most significant victories of to regular elections be, a vital partner for the United States n February of this year, I was the fight against the Islamic State and and uphold our shared in the Middle East, promoting stability, grateful for a return visit to Erbil, violent extremists, the Peshmerga have democratic principles. modernization, and economic reforms. the dynamic capital city of Iraqi also been responsible for other success- However, our partnership in the Middle Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous ful campaigns against ISIS and other allow them to prosper, they can serve East is at its best with Kurdistan as a region in Northern Iraq that is terrorist organizations throughout Iraq. as a model for other regions of Iraq to semi-autonomous region of Iraq. governed by the Kurdish Re- Clearly, security cooperation is one diversify, stabilize and prosper. At this point in time, while there still

gional Government. Throughout of the greatest ways for the United It is important to be clear-eyed about may be opportunity for improvements, A S PECI AL R EPO my visit, I was able to clearly appreciate States to expand their remarkable part- the Kurdish Regional Government’s ultimately, our meaningful coopera- Ithe vital role of Kurdistan as a partner nership with the Kurdish government, success in terms of governing because tion would be put at risk if Kurdistan to the United States, promoting peace especially as we face increasing threats there are still some areas of concern. were to separate from Iraq. As a senior and security in the Middle East. How- in the region. However, I am hopeful that as the secu- member of both the House Armed ever, recent plans for a referendum of The Kurdish Regional Government rity and economic situations improve, Services Committee and the House For- Kurdish independence could put our has also been a leader in promoting the region can return to regular elec- eign Affairs Committee, I look forward T P R EP positive relationship at risk. We can positive, modern governmental reforms. tions and uphold our shared democratic to working with the talented regional

appreciate the successes of the Kurdish Under the leadership of President principles. government to continue our strong AR E D B Region as a part of a federated Iraq. Masoud Barzani, the parliament has While a strong, prosperous Kurd- partnership on areas of mutual interest. Iraqi Kurdistan should remain a vi- made great strides in enacting penalties istan benefits Iraq and the region, an brant and thriving part of Iraq because for violence against women and invest- independent Kurdistan could threaten Rep. Joe Wilson, South Carolina Repub- Y T H E W it works with coalition partners in the ing in critical infrastructure. The Kurd- the fragile stability of the region. Ad- lican, is chairman of the House Armed

fight against ISIL and supports positive ish Regional Government has also taken ditionally, it could cause other Kurdish Services subcommittee on Readiness and INGTONASH TIME S AD reforms in the region. Protected by the great strides to promote economic minorities in bordering countries, like serves on the House Foreign Affairs Com- American no-fly zone during the Sad- development — both by increasing Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Iran, to at- mittee. He is also co-founder of the Kurd- dam Hussain dictatorship, the region educational opportunities within the oil tempt to join an independent Kurdistan, ish-American Congressional Caucus. THE WASHINGTON TIMES Ghastly 1988 attack on Kurdistan must not be forgotten VOC A C Y D EP By Rep. Marsha Blackburn Peshmerga have what they need to go for freedom and against ISIS. about this fight, rooting out ISIS. And I It’s important that we recognize the AR TMENT As co-chair of the Kurdish Caucus am so appreciative that President Trump [1988] genocide and remember it. This here, I think it’s so important that we is focused on fighting ISIS, ending these is something, as you all know, that I have

stop every year and commemorate and terrorist groups, sending the message supported with legislation, and contin- | Thursday • July 27 • 2017 remember [the March, 16, 1988 Halabja that we are going to hunt them down, ued to push with legislation to support chemical attack that killed or injured we’re going to root them out, and we the Kurds. And then also to make certain 15,000 Kurds by former dictator Saddam are going to end their existence. That is that we do not forget what happened, Hussein]. something that is a very important mes- and that we appropriately recognize that And that we renew our commitment sage to communicate. in our history. to making certain that such atrocities I think, likewise, it is so important and such human rights violations never that those of us in Congress continue Rep. Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Re- occur again. That should be something our work to get the funding that is neces- publican, spoke with Kurdistan24.net that is a shared goal. sary for the refugee camps that are in the on March 19, 2017. The interview can be We are so fortunate to have the Kurds region, for the Peshmerga that are in the seen at https://youtu.be/wC-ULFE5U3o as allies in the fight against ISIS. And it’s fight, and to support the Kurds as they important that we make certain that the stand strong in this region. Stand strong 7 Self-determination will lead to prosperity, stability

Iraq was, and is, a forced coex- with ISIS. If Iraq’s Kurds were recog- place in two newly defined nations. istence of peoples whose identities nized as a sovereign force and empow- This move will not alter borders remain unreconciled a century after ered as such, we would have concluded of neighboring states. It will instead the breakdown of the Ottoman Empire, this campaign long ago. Forced unity formalize the obvious makeup of the which spawned the modern state. This with Baghdad instead denied us the Iraqi state today. The Kurds have paid a reality is apparent more than ever: weapons we needed, which needlessly heavy price for the international com- From Basra to Tikrit, from Diyala to prolonged suffering and exposed to munity’s failed one-Iraq policy. Instead, Anbar, a Sunni-Shia conflict has edged everyone the folly of pretending that the global partners should now publicly the country and its peoples towards status quo works. support a dialogue between Erbil and the abyss. We, as leaders whose ulti- This historic process will start with Baghdad to shape bilateral relations on mate responsibility is the welfare of an honest dialogue with Iraqi Prime new and binding terms. our people, need to acknowledge that Minister Haider al-Abadi. And on this We will allow the people in con- the model is not working. score, we have been encouraged by our tested areas to determine their own The upcoming Sept. 25 vote aims to discussions with national leaders. The future. In negotiations with Baghdad, clearly stake out the political terms on recapture of Mosul gives both Erbil and Kurdistan plans to include areas only which we, the people of Iraqi Kurdistan, Baghdad a strong platform to address a with people who overwhelmingly want would best play a role in the future of question that has lingered since the turn to be part the new state. We will remain By Masrour Barzani the region. If, as expected, a vote for of the century. We hope and expect a refuge for groups fleeing violence independence passes, the government that the world will get behind us. We and persecution; Christians, Turkmen, his is a year of regeneration will move to implement the decision in strongly believe that self-determination Shabaks, Yazidis and other groups have for Iraqi Kurdistan, a time consultation with Baghdad. for Iraq’s Kurds will provide certainty as much to look forward to as fellow when its people will shed If we stay as we are, muddled to- in Iraq and beyond. Kurds. They will continue to enjoy the the crippling burden of war gether through hope and delusion, we This referendum will, therefore, same rights in a shared home. and uncertainty and start to do precisely the opposite — bequeath- give us a mandate to reach a principle Two independent states living along- shape their future — on our ing danger and dysfunction to future agreement with Mr. al-Abadi. It would side each other as peaceful neighbors own terms. generations who need and deserve far also start the process that would create will usher unprecedented strategic Iraqi Kurdistan can no longer mark better. the political space for both parties to alliances in trade, energy and security. Ttime. We must all take a stake in our The Kurds of Iraq have endured a advance causes of common interest. It will secure a prosperous footing for future and redefine the nature of a long and bitter journey rooted in the This issue can no longer be confined both communities, Arabs and Kurds, TMENT

AR relationship with Iraq that will confine pursuit of self-determination — a dig- to the “too hard basket”; the dangers of and allow us to determine the best gov- repeated mistakes of the past to history. nity essential to all communities. It has defaulting to a broken model are enor- ernance for our peoples.

Y D EP That is why Iraqi Kurdistan will take at times led to mass deportation, war mous. We have much to gain through C

A the historic step of holding a referen- and genocide. Self-determination would peace and understanding, through a Masrour Barzani is the Chancellor of dum on independence later this year. have changed the course of the war common recognition of each other’s the Kurdistan Region Security Council. VOC INGTON TIME S AD ASH INGTON Y T H E W AR E D B T P R EP AL R EPO A S PECI THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON

| • 2017 27 • July Thursday Photo Credit: Kurdistan Iraq Tours LLC/Tour Guide 8 The Citadel of Erbil. A S PECI AL R EPO T P R EP AR E D B Y T H E W INGTONASH TIME S AD THE WASHINGTON TIMES VOC A C Y D EP AR TMENT | Thursday • July 27 • 2017

9 Embrace the Kurdish independence referendum

a predictable environment and bank- ing system for doing business through a legal system that governs commerce and property rights, as well as taxes and tariffs that are levied in a consistent and transparent way. Corruption continues to undermine the rule of law. The Kurdish government must prosecute and punish corrupt pub- lic officials, and provide the civil service with clear anti-corruption guidelines and a code of conduct, especially on government contracting. Publishing data on oil revenues is an important way to enhance transparency. To attract international assistance By Ambassador to cope with the humanitarian crisis, Nancy Soderberg the Kurdish authorities must develop a comprehensive post-conflict recovery his Sept. 25, Iraqi Kurds plan focusing on stabilization during the will hold a long planned transition from relief to development. referendum in which, And the international community must as in the 2005 vote, an fund it. overwhelming majority Baghdad’s central government must will express their desire act too. Conflict around unresolved to become an independent territories must be avoided, especially state. How the Kurdish, Iraqi central around oil-rich Kirkuk. In accordance Tgovernment, United States and re- with Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitu- gional leadership handle this foregone tion, Iraq should hold a separate refer- conclusion is critical to stability in the endum on the status of the Kirkuk and region. other disputed territories, with moni- For centuries, the Kurds have been toring by the international community. TMENT

AR on the losing side of historical decisions And it must accept the outcome of both that have consistently denied them their referendums.

Y D EP right to determine their future. Since the The referendum on Iraqi Kurdish C

A Sykes-Piquot lines were drawn by the independence certainly will raise legiti- British and French colonial powers in mate questions of the future of these VOC 1916, the West has played power politics Kurdish areas in neighboring countries. in the region. Kurds were consistently But none have the experience of self- denied the right to decide their own fu- government like the Iraqi Kurds. The ture. As Iraq collapses, Kurds are moving Kurdistan Regional Government must irrevocably towards independence. The affirm that it has no plan for a greater region and the United States must accept Kurdistan incorporating the Kurds of and manage this new reality. illustration by Linas Garsys Turkey, Syria and Iran. INGTON TIME S AD ASH INGTON U.S. policy is to maintain a united The referendum provides an op- federal Iraq and the administration has security in the region. the international community to adjust to portunity to spur Iraqi Kurds, Baghdad

Y T H E W expressed concern that the referendum The Kurds are America’s best friends the new reality that Iraqi Kurdistan will and the international community to will distract from the effort to defeat in the ongoing quagmire following the no longer work through Baghdad. They recognize the contributions Kurds are ISIS. Yet, starting in 1991, U.S. protec- American invasion of Iraq in 2003 and all have work to do. making to stability in the region — and AR E D B tion of the Kurds in northern Iraq from the Syrian civil war that has raged since President Barzani must take several allow them to determine their own Saddam Hussein’s brutality has led to a 2011. Kurdish Peshmerga forces helped critical steps to improve the govern- future. Done correctly, a democratic,

T P R EP de facto independent Kurdish state. And drive ISIS from Iraqi Kurdistan and ment. Certainly, no new state is ever prosperous and stable Iraqi Kurdistan the failure of the Shia-led government cooperated with the Iraqi armed forces fully ready for independence. Kurd- — whether nominally part of Iraq or in- in Baghdad to live up to its obligations in liberating the eastern part of Mosul istan’s democratic institutions must dependent — will advance the interests to the Kurds, including providing basic from the horrors of ISIS occupation ear- be strengthened. Kurdistan’s stalled of the Kurds, Iraq, the region and the security assistance, helping cope with lier this month. The U.S. needs security economy, lack of access to international broader international community. 1.6 million people fleeing violence, or partners in Iraq. Washington can count markets for its oil, and its challenges AL R EPO A S PECI THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON

reversing its 2014 suspension of its on the Kurds. with cronyism, corruption and gover- Ambassador Nancy Soderberg has | central government’s budget allocation, The region should also begin to view nance need to be addressed. served in the White House as Deputy has driven the Kurds to re-assert their the Iraqi Kurds in a positive light. There Efforts to finalize a new constitution National Security Adviser, as an Am- aspiration for independence. are 40 million Kurds in Iraq, Turkey, remain stalled. Doing so must be priori- bassador to the United Nations, and Kurdish Regional President Masoud Iran and Syria. Iraqi Kurdistan promotes tized, and it must embrace the highest chair of the 2015 Task Force Report, Barzani understands the risks involved stability in these countries, and acts as international standards for individual “State-Building in Iraqi Kurdistan.” and the need to proceed with caution a driver of democracy. The European human rights, as well as linguistic, Currently, she is President and CEO before declaring a de jure independent Union and Russia have major interests in religious, ethnic, women’s and national of Soderberg Global Solutions and the Kurdistan. He has repeatedly said he that stability too. minority rights. Director of the Public Service Lead- grasps the anxieties the referendum It is unclear how the Kurds will move The fight against ISIS stalled Erbil’s ership Program at the University of

• 2017 27 • July Thursday will cause in the region, but he also forward the referendum on indepen- economic recovery. But so has the lack North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. argues, rightly, that a democratic dence. One thing is clear: The referen- of transparency and legal frameworks es- Follow her @nancysoderberg. 10 and stable Kurdistan is a linchpin to dum is a wake-up call for the Kurds and sential to growth. The Kurds must create A S PECI AL R EPO T P R EP AR E D B Y T H E W INGTONASH TIME S AD THE WASHINGTON TIMES VOC A C Y D EP AR TMENT | Thursday • July 27 • 2017

11 Kurdistan referendum stands on ‘solid legal footing’

By David Tafuri

wo hundred and forty-one years ago this month our Founding Fathers declared America’s independence. When they debated the issue, they could not agree Photo Credit:​ ​Kurdistan Iraq Tours LLC/Tour Guide on whether the colonies were prepared to be self-sufficient, their on a process for secession. We must whose status needs to be negotiated in Other nations oppose the referendum Tinternal differences could be resolved, therefore look to international law. Self- the future. But as a base, there is a de- and any expression whatsoever of or if they were even ready to withstand determination — defined as the process fined area where Kurds live and which self-determination for Kurdistan. These TMENT

AR the challenges of foreign powers. But by which a country determines its own is administered by the KRG. include Kurdistan’s neighbors: Iran, Tur- they knew they had a compelling legal statehood and forms its own allegiances The KRG developed as a legitimate key and Syria. The views of these coun-

Y D EP and moral basis for separating from and government — is enshrined as a government over the 27 years since the tries should be taken into account, but C

A Great Britain. It was rooted in the fundamental right under international first Gulf War. It is elected, has separate legal scholars would be hard-pressed principle that governments must derive law by the United Nations Charter. branches of government, an indepen- to find a basis under international law VOC “their just powers from the consent Article 1 of the Montevideo Conven- dent judiciary, its own parliament and to oppose self-determination for Kurds of the governed,” as Thomas Jefferson tion sets out the most widely accepted other institutions, which though in need in Iraq because of issues Kurdistan’s wrote. formulation of the criteria for statehood of further maturity and transparency, neighbors face in their own countries. On June 7, Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional under international law. It provides already provide for the basic needs of Other opponents argue Kurdistan is not Government (KRG) announced plans that states should possess the following the people. The KRG has also carved ready to be independent and its internal to hold a referendum on independence characteristics: 1) a permanent popula- out a highly safe and tolerant area in an political struggles indicate it cannot across the already semi-autonomous tion, 2) a defined territory, 3) a govern- otherwise violent country. There is al- govern itself. These are all arguments INGTON TIME S AD ASH INGTON region. The referendum will be a mile- ment, and 4) capacity to enter into most no aspect of life in Kurdistan that that our Founding Fathers confronted stone in the more than 100 year struggle relations with other states. Because the is touched by the central government and, obviously overcame, as they stood

Y T H E W of Kurds living in Iraq under govern- Kurdistan Region has been functionally of Iraq anymore. Finally, with respect on the precipice of declaring indepen- ments they did not choose and which at separate from the rest of Iraq since 1991 to the capacity to enter into relations dence in America. times delivered such violence, oppres- and legally recognized as a semi-auton- with other countries, Kurdistan already The referendum will likely pass AR E D B sion and indignity upon the Kurdish omous region with its own government engages in diplomacy and foreign rela- overwhelmingly. The KRG has indicated population that they make the Ameri- since at least the ratification of Iraq’s tions, has representative offices in 14 if it does, it will begin negotiations for

T P R EP can colonists’ list of grievances against 2005 Constitution, it had a head start on countries, and there are 35 foreign coun- independence. It has already initiated Great Britain seem trivial. meeting each of these criteria. In many tries with consulates or embassy offices these discussions with Baghdad. The The referendum is merely a first ways, it has already satisfied them. in Kurdistan’s capital, Erbil. dialogue will become more intense step on the path to independence and, It is worth reviewing each. Unlike In addition to the legitimacy of the after the referendum, but there is some should it pass, will not automatically some independence movements, the group’s claim to statehood (i.e., does the possibility to negotiate secession on a signify creation of a new state. It is, Kurds in Iraq have a permanent popula- seceding population meet the Montevi- timetable comfortable for both Baghdad AL R EPO A S PECI THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON

however, a momentous exercise of the tion that is demonstrably different from deo Convention qualifications), it will and Kurdistan. | universal right of self-determination — the rest of Iraq. They are a separate take actual recognition of Kurdistan’s Whether Kurdistan will ultimately a right that flowered in the audacious ethnicity with their own language and independence by other countries for be successful in becoming independent actions of our Founding Fathers in 1776. culture. This has made them a target for Kurdistan to be treated as a sovereign depends on multiple factors, some po- The Kurds are on solid legal footing as oppression, but the area they occupy state. Thus far, a few have already litical, but it has already demonstrated it they take this step. in southwest Asia has been their home indicated they would recognize it as in- fulfills the criteria for statehood under The analysis of whether a territory for more than 1,000 years. The territory dependent. These include Saudi Arabia, international law. such as the Kurdistan Region may seek is defined with reference to the three United Arab Emirates, Hungary and Is- independence must begin, but not end, traditional Iraqi provinces that make up rael. More countries, including some in David Tafuri is an international with the law of the governing coun- the region, Erbil, Dohuk and Sulaymani- Europe, have expressed general support lawyer at Dentons and an ad-

• 2017 27 • July Thursday try. Iraq’s 2005 Constitution explicitly yah. There are also “disputed territo- for the principle of self-determination viser and legal counsel to the recognizes the Kurdistan Region as a ries,” on the boundary which include in Kurdistan, but have not yet indicated KRG. Follow @DavidTafuri 12 semi-autonomous region, but is silent large parts of a fourth province, Kirkuk, they would recognize its independence. A S PECI AL R EPO T P R EP AR E D B Y T H E W INGTONASH TIME S AD THE WASHINGTON TIMES VOC A C Y D EP AR TMENT | Thursday • July 27 • 2017

13 Can the Kurds win public — and American — support?

the Iraqi army enjoyed from the start. Without the Kurds going forward, we may well see a resurgent ISIS or worse. No one, including the Kurds, wants a repeat of the failed 1945 Republic of Mahabad, when Kurds briefly declared independence in what is now Iran. It was a flame extinguished almost overnight by overwhelming opposing forces. How- ever, today a sustainable independent Kurdistan is not as bleak a prospect as some make out. The Kurdish Peshmerga is not the handful of revolutionaries they were in 1945. They field over 100,000 seasoned troops who have proven their mettle against all the odds and will fight for freedom if necessary, as the then-weak America did in 1776. By Dr. Douglas Layton The Kurds are suffering economically. However, it is a temporary condition n Sept. 25, the Kurdis- exasperated by nearly 2 million refu- tan Region of Iraq has gees and IDPs now residing within their scheduled a “binding” borders, for whom the Kurds have shown referendum on indepen- an amazing degree of care and hospital- dence — a clear message ity. Now that the ISIS crisis is all but past, the Kurds will no longer the economic boom that preceded it tolerate the repeatedly will resume, particularly when oil prices violated promises of Baghdad. rebound, as they surely will. Critical questions: 1) If the Kurds Kurdistan possesses as much as 25 TMENT O AR realize their centuries-old dream of percent of Iraq’s oil reserves, and this independence, could they survive? alone could secure its future, but far more

Y D EP and 2) Where should America come meets the astute economic eye. There C

A down on the question of Kurdish is also a potential multibillion-dollar self-determination? tourism industry, as Kurdistan boasts VOC The U.S. State Department, Baghdad, thousands of historical sites nestled and especially Turkey (fearing the aspira- within countless lakes, rivers and snow- tions of its Kurds) have voiced opposition capped mountains. National Geographic to the referendum. Conversely, many has twice named the KRI in the top 24 have expressed support, including leaders destinations in the world. from Israel, Britain, France, Australia, Kurdistan is also the spillway for all of Saudi Arabia and as many as 40 others. the water of the region, making it a po- INGTON TIME S AD ASH INGTON Even the U.S. has influential Kurdish sup- tential agricultural powerhouse capable porters in Congress. of feeding the entire Middle East. There

Y T H E W In 2006, the Kurds undertook a is a Kurdish proverb that aptly states, hugely successful public relations cam- inadequate in America — an audience It is in America’s national interest to “When the Arabs run out of oil, they will paign titled, “Kurdistan: The Other Iraq,” more attuned to the “Game of Thrones” secure the Kurds as a staunch and stable walk barefoot in the sand to get a drink of AR E D B centered around a “Thank You America” than the “Game of Kurdistan.” If they hope Middle East friend. The Kurds are com- water from the Kurds.” TV spot that aired on FOX, CNN, BBC, to turn the tide for independence, they mitted to continuing the fight against ISIS There are unequaled opportunities

T P R EP CBS, etc. must win the public relations “war,” and — now a failed “State,” but nonetheless for those daring enough to stand with The simple ad expressing rare appreci- thus avoid a potential shooting war with an insurgent force that will not disappear the resilient and surprising Kurdish ation for American support and sacrifice Turkey and/or Baghdad — a crisis that anytime soon. Without the Kurds, the people. Political and economic fortunes went viral, and many embraced these is not unthinkable, as both have invaded outcome of the battle against ISIS would are made in the midst of crisis, and both little-known people who suffered their Kurdistan in the not-too-distant past. have ended far differently. Baghdad’s army can be made — especially for America own “holocaust” at the hands of Saddam. Only America has the economic and handed Mosul over to ISIS in June of — in what could soon become an inde- AL R EPO A S PECI THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON

But that was 10 years ago, and most political influence to act as the guaran- 2014. ISIS then marched to the very gates pendent Kurdistan. | Americans today are unenlightened con- tor of Kurdish independence in this of Kurdistan’s capital, Erbil, only to be cerning the Kurds. The Kurds desperately “tough neighborhood,” as it has with turned back by the Peshmerga — and this Douglas Layton, Th.D., has lived or need a repeat performance. America will Israel since 1948. without the sophisticated American arms worked for over 25 years in the Kurdistan love the Kurds — if the Kurds give them Region of Iraq (KRI). He authored the a chance. The Kurds have done a brilliant first and only comprehensive Guide to job winning the admiration of the world The Kurds are suffering economically. However, the region; originated the public relations in their fight against ISIS, but they have it is a temporary condition exasperated by nearly campaign, “Kurdistan: The Other Iraq”; yet to fully capitalize on the respect for 2 million refugees and IDPs now residing within was one of five experts who testified dur- which they fought so hard. ing the U.S. Senate hearings on Saddam’s

• 2017 27 • July Thursday The Kurds have fared reasonably well their borders, for whom the Kurds have shown genocide against the Kurds; and is co- in the more politically sophisticated cli- an amazing degree of care and hospitality. founder of the KRI’s first inwardly focused 14 mate of Europe, but progress is woefully tour company, Kurdistan Iraq Tours LLC. A S PECI AL R EPO T P R EP AR E D B Y T H E W INGTONASH TIME S AD THE WASHINGTON TIMES VOC A C Y D EP AR TMENT | Thursday • July 27 • 2017

15 illustration by greg groeschg

TMENT Kurds: No longer the forgotten people AR Arabic. I later learned the core of this re- and Iraq. None of those states want an Addressing the second issue: Despite

Y D EP luctance while talking with a young Kurd independent Kurdistan anywhere near some cosmetic approaches to the Kurds, C

A who pointed to a decrepit, old building them. In addition, the Abadi government as long Turks still maintain that Kurds upon which a tattered Iraqi flag flew. In of Iraq and, nominally at least, Turkey are “mountain Turks,” and treat them ac- VOC passable English, he said the sight of that are allies in the war on terrorism. cordingly, no real progress is possible. flag gave him a feeling of shame. Independence for Kurds is not a one- The Kurds have been separated by There were some vignettes that state problem any longer. It is a Middle internal divisions, imposed languages, brought home to me the spirit and East problem. During my years of duty different writing systems, second-class tragedy of the Kurdish people, e.g., the in the Middle East, the oft-repeated citizenship in four countries, and a host unit bringing musical instruments to the shibboleth of this half-century was that of self-inflicted wounds. Now, however, townspeople of Halabja and their sense solving the Arab-Israeli problem was as the diaspora of Kurds around the INGTON TIME S AD ASH INGTON of joy in receiving them. It brought to the key to stability in the Middle East. world share in their common ethnic mind passages in the Thomas Bois book, Of course, that was never true. But identity, their political clout has elevated

Y T H E W “The Kurds,” in which he described the today we face the spread of political Western sensibilities to the Kurdish issue. Kurdish passion for music. Islam; the imperial ambitions of Iran; It would be a mistake to put off I remember the exuberance of the and the flashpoint of a Kurdistan or a recognition of a Kurdish state until all AR E D B By Col. Norvell B. DeAtkine youth crowded around our vehicles; very “greater Kurdistan,” as the suspicious the many disputes, especially borders, different from the sullen looks we often leaders in the Middle East view it. are settled. The European case of

T P R EP y experience with received in certain neighborhoods in The problems are easy to point out, fragmented communities of Poles and the Kurds was in De- Baghdad. After visiting the museum of but the solutions are well beyond the Ukrainians is instructive. For centuries, cember 2003, when I the Halabja chemical attack, it brought current diplomatic influence of any great they were ruled off and on by others, was with a U.S. Army on the same sense of revulsion as the or regional power in the Middle East. with borders frequently changing, but Reserve Civil Affairs Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. Two salient issues among the many are that never meant they were not Poles or unit near Sulei- I also remember the old Iraqi army the Kirkuk issue and the plight of the Ukrainians. So it is with Kurds. Their AL R EPO A S PECI THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON

maniya. I had spent tank parked at the entrance of Sulei- Kurds in Turkey. In the first, facile sug- quest for national identity should not be | many years on active duty in the Middle maniya festooned not with imprecations gestions that Kurds should be persuaded submerged in the morass of great and MEast as a Foreign Area Officer, but knew against an implacable enemy, but with to give up territory for which they sacri- regional power rivalries or cartographic very little about the Kurds, as my studies multicolored paintings of flowers. ficed a great many lives is a non-starter. “abstractions of reality.” They have at the American University of Beirut Returning home, having waded In fact, the Kurds can claim credit for earned what President Woodrow Wilson were almost totally focused on Sunni through many books on Kurdistan and stemming the initial ISIS onslaught, giv- promised them 99 years ago. Arabs, Persians and the Palestinian issue. the problems involved with support of ing the Iraqi government breathing space In my stay near Suleimaniya, I was an independent Kurdistan, I try to rec- to begin their tortuous counteroffensive. Retired Army Col. Norvell B. DeAtkine is impressed with the order and security — oncile the spirit of the people there with And they blunted the ISIS offensive with a Middle East Area Specialist with many as opposed to Baghdad, where one was realities on the ground. inferior weapons, as the ISIS had cap- years experience in the Arab world. He

• 2017 27 • July Thursday not even safe traveling the road from the Those realities are, to say the least, tured an immense amount of American has been an instructor in Middle East airport to the Green Zone. The people formidable. The cultural map of Kurd- weapons and ammunition from the Iraqi Studies at the John F. Kennedy Special 16 were very friendly but reluctant to speak istan encompasses Turkey, Syria, Iran army fleeing Mosul. Warfare Center and School for 18 years. Photo Credit:​ ​Kurdistan Iraq Tours LLC/Tour Guide Don’t blame the Kurds for Iraq’s unraveling

established 19 power-sharing principles. Constitution promised a referendum on have a lot in common. Both are small It resolved a political crisis between the status of Kirkuk. But the referendum states surrounded by hostile neighbors. Shiites and Sunnis, dividing leader- never happened. In 2014, Israeli Prime Minister ship positions across a multiparty and Failure to address Kirkuk’s status Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed the multisectarian coalition. However, the exacerbated other core Kurdish con- “Kurdish aspiration for independence,” agreement was never implemented. cerns, such as Kurdish ownership of citing “the collapse” of Iraq. According

Instead of power-sharing, Prime natural resources and the sharing of oil to Mr. Netanyahu, Kurds are a “fight- A S PECI AL R EPO Minister Nouri al-Maliki harassed and revenues. In 2013, Baghdad suspended ing people that has proved its political arrested prominent Sunni politicians. payments to the Kurdistan Regional commitment, political moderation, and He purged Iraq’s professional armed Government (KRG) of oil sales from deserves political independence.” forces of Sunni officers and brought Kirkuk, pocketing the revenue for itself. The map of the Middle East is security forces and militias under his The U.S. generously supported the Iraqi changing. States created by the 1923 direct control. Mr. Maliki cut the budget armed forces, but Baghdad refused to Treaty of Lausanne, such as Iraq and T P R EP of the Sunni Awakening, which fought al share resources or equipment with Syria, are inherently unstable.

Qaeda, leaving thousands unemployed. Kurdish “Peshmerga.” The U.S. needs a reality-based ap- AR E D B Iranian-backed Shiite militias — Pop- The KRG plans a referendum on in- proach to the Middle East. Iraq is not ular Mobilization Forces — continue dependence for Sept. 25, 2017. The KRG viable; Arabs in Iraq do not get along. By David L. Phillips to operate independently with govern- insists it will not move precipitously, Fighting ISIS may have temporarily Y T H E W ment sanction. Their activities create preferring a friendly divorce from Iraq. masked their differences. But after

ighting ISIS created a false insecurity in provinces with a mix of Where does the U.S. stand on Iraqi Mosul, Iraq is still beset by dysfunc- INGTONASH TIME S AD sense of national unity Sunnis and Shiites. Kurdistan’s independence? tional politics. among Iraqis. Now that Mr. Maliki was replaced by Mr. Though the Trump administration is When Iraq unravels, don’t blame Mosul is liberated, Iraqis Abadi as prime minister in 2014. Iraqis nominally opposed, it is agnostic about the Kurds. The responsibility for Iraq’s must confront their rivalries view him as weak and ineffective. Sun- assisting Iraq’s long-term recovery. demise rests with Iraqis who pursue and decide the country’s fu- nis have little confidence, despite Mr. Washington increasingly recognizes sectarian agendas, undermining plural- ture. Prime Minister Haider Abadi’s efforts at reform. that Iraqi Kurds are America’s best ism and inviting meddlesome nefarious al-Abadi has called for national unity, neighbors. THE WASHINGTON TIMES VOC but Iraq remains deeply divided. The U.S. should work with its

F A The Government of Iraq (GOI) has Though the Trump administration is nominally friends, rather than try to placate its ad- C no apparent plan for resettlement, re- opposed, it is agnostic about assisting Iraq’s versaries. Iraqi Kurdistan, as a sovereign Y D EP construction or reconciliation. and independent state, will be a driver long-term recovery. Washington increasingly AR Mosul is a wasteland of rubble and of democratization in the region and a TMENT ruin. Without stability and security, recognizes that Iraqi Kurds are America’s best reliable ally of the United States. displaced people cannot return to their partners in the region. They are a bulwark against

homes. They also need shelter and ser- David L. Phillips is director of the Pro- | extremism. The U.S. and Iraqi Kurds share values. Thursday • July 27 • 2017 vices, such as water and electricity. Re- gram on Peace-building and Rights at Co- construction will cost at least $1 billion. lumbia University’s Institute for the Study The GOI needs to address the root Iraqi Kurds have likewise lost faith partners in the region. They are a bul- of Human Rights. He served as a senior causes of conflict, engaging Sunnis in in Baghdad’s ability to protect their wark against extremism. The U.S. and adviser and foreign affairs expert to the the political process. However, it seems interests. Iraqi Kurds share values. Both believe Near Eastern Affairs Bureau of the U.S. unwilling or unable to address the After the toppling of Saddam Hus- in human rights and democracy. Both Department of State during the George W. political and economic conditions that sein, Kurds bent over backwards to adamantly oppose radical Islamism. Bush administration. He is author of “Los- radicalized Sunnis and gave rise to the avoid breaking up Iraq. Kurds deferred In the Middle East, “the enemy of my ing Iraq: Inside the Postwar Reconstruc- Islamic State in the first place. their demand for independence, opting enemy is my friend.” The KRG does not tion Fiasco” and “The Kurdish Spring: Iraq is a graveyard of betrayal and for a federal, democratic Iraq, with speak loudly about its cooperation with A New Map for the Middle East.” His false promises. decentralized governance. Israel, including oil shipments to the Is- most recent book is “An Uncertain Ally: The November 2010 Erbil Agreement Article 140 of Iraq’s 2005 raeli port of Ashkelon. Kurds and Israelis Turkey Under Erdogan’s Dictatorship.” 17 ‘The Kurdish moment has come’

Erbil Stock Exchange to the NAS- DAQ ; declared war on the vestiges of Baathist regime socialism; and began encouraging entrepreneurship on a vast scale. The result? In 2013, the Kurds of Iraqi Kurdistan found themselves on the “must visit” lists of National Geographic, Conde Nast and The New York Times. This in a recent war zone. The transformation the Kurds effected was a miracle. Then, of course, ISIS struck. Other priorities rushed to the fore. The Iraqi Kurds are also what the West should want the Middle East to Photo credit: Isaac Darnall be in matters of religion. Though the Kurds are 97 percent Muslim, they By Stephen Mansfield are moderate and open. There is a Christian department in the Kurd- t has been nearly 100 years ish Regional Government (KRG). since the world promised the There is also a Yazidi department, Kurdish people a nation of their that religious minority ISIS has so own. That promise came as bloodily targeted in recent years. The World War I drew to an end. senior mullah of Kurdistan has said, At a Paris peace conference, “I am a Kurd first, a Muslim second. I the victors in that great war will not allow the radicalism of other signed the Treaty of Sevres, which Middle Eastern nations to torment us Iguaranteed self-determination for the in Kurdistan.” Kurds and named them specifically as This is all the democratic nations overdue for nationhood. of the world might hope for. And the Tragically, it was a promise that Kurds are leading the way. could not withstand the complexi- A promise has been made, then. TMENT

AR ties of the Arab world and European A people have prepared themselves. dreams inflamed by oil. Instead of na- They have proven themselves ready.

Y D EP tionhood, the Kurds were bundled into Their time has now come. We must C

A a newly conceived entity called Iraq. stand with the Kurdish people as their They would suffer much in the next moment in history dawns. VOC 100 years as a result. Their own gov- There will, of course, be birth ernment in Baghdad would often treat pangs. Nearby nations will oppose them as enemies, the Western powers Kurdish independence and blood will would alternatively ignore and betray likely be shed. The Kurds themselves them, and for decades Saddam Hus- will understandably stumble along sein’s Baathist regime would seek to the way. No nation comes into the wipe them from the face of the earth. world fully formed. Yet come into the INGTON TIME S AD ASH INGTON Now, though, at long last, the world as a free and independent na- Kurdish moment has come. On Sept. tion they must.

Y T H E W 25, the Kurdish Regional Govern- Our destined role is to be vigilant ment in Northern Iraq will conduct midwives to this historic birth and a referendum on independence. If it to hope that one day we may say of AR E D B passes, as it surely will, the Kurdish Kurdistan, in the words of one of her people will have made their inten- poets, that

T P R EP tions known to a watching world. We The West should also support Kurdish From this day on will be free. We will have a nation of independence because the Kurds represent what She was a flute, our own. We will have a place among we hope for the future of the Middle East. They And the hand of the wind the nations of the earth. Endowed her wounds with melodies, When this moment comes, the are fiercely pro-democracy, Western-friendly, She has been singing ever since for United States and her allies ought to and, surprisingly, positive toward Israel. the world. AL R EPO A S PECI THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON

hasten to support Kurdish indepen- | dence in every way possible and with Stephen Mansfield is a faith and cul- every resource available. would make a mockery of Western toward Israel. ture commentator and best-selling This is certainly because a promise declarations about human rights, They are also intent upon a free- author of over 20 books, including “The was made to the Kurdish people and ethnic self-determination and inter- market society. In the days between Miracle of the Kurds: A Remarkable its fulfillment is long overdue. Yet national justice. Saddam Hussein’s atrocities against Story of Hope Reborn in Northern Iraq” there is more. The West should also support them and the rise of ISIS, days in (Worthy Publishing, 2014). He is also The Kurds are the largest people Kurdish independence because the which the Iraqi Kurds could take their founder of The Mansfield Group (Ste- group in the world — 35 million Kurds represent what we hope for affairs into their own hands, they phenMansfield.TV), a media training strong — who do not have a home- the future of the Middle East. They put out the welcome mat to foreign firm based in Washington, D.C.

• 2017 27 • July Thursday land of their own. Denying them a are fiercely pro-democracy, Western- investment in a stunningly innovative 18 place among the nations any longer friendly, and, surprisingly, positive 2006 investment law; connected the A S PECI AL R EPO T P R EP AR E D B Y T H E W INGTONASH TIME S AD THE WASHINGTON TIMES VOC A C Y D EP AR TMENT | Thursday • July 27 • 2017

19 TMENT AR Y D EP C A VOC 5 reasons for U.S. to support an independent Kurdistan

where Tehran applauds Washington’s The destruction of ISIS — will Kurds. The Kurdish persistent resis- polite adherence to a One-Iraq policy, not happen without the Kurds. tance to extreme Islam is well-known INGTON TIME S AD ASH INGTON even while substantial Iranian com- Their leading role in the destruction of and has been since the first outside bat power flows insidiously into Iraq ISIS as an organization cannot be rea- Islamist groups began concerted pros-

Y T H E W to effect a functional annexation of sonably disputed. The Kurds stopped, elytizing into portions of Kurdistan as the lion’s share of Iraqi terrain. While held and rolled back ISIS, and then early as 1952. Sixty-five years later and Washington urges everyone in Iraq waited two years while the Iraqi Army the black flag of ISIS still doesn’t fly AR E D B to just get along, they don’t, and they re-cocked after running away in 2014. over Kurdish soil. never have. Continued American sup- Kurdish forces then isolated Mosul as Re-establishing a balance of

T P R EP plication is pointless. the necessary precondition to its recent power in the Gulf — means check- Here’s the practical reality: Bagh- liberation by a revitalized Iraqi Army, ing Iranian power, not accommo- dad has become Tehran West. It’s the albeit one infused with Iranian muscle. dating it. The recent liberation of capital of a regime whose ministries Meanwhile, Syrian Kurds lead the op- Mosul is an important victory, but we are overwhelmingly headed by Shia eration to seize Raqqa, the ISIS capital. must also be honest about a resulting interests aligned with their co-religion- ISIS simply will not be destroyed and condition — Iran used its sizable proxy AL R EPO A S PECI THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON

ists in Tehran, and it is supported by kept that way without the Kurds. participation in that operation to add | an Iraqi Army that is 75 percent Shia The defeat of the jihadi ideology terrain to the dominant position it By Brig. Gen. Ernie Audino and augmented by Iran’s proxy force of ISIS — will not happen without gained in the Gulf after the withdrawal of 110,000 Shia militiamen inside Iraq. moderate Sunni voices. Destruction of U.S. troops from Iraq in 2012. Iran ost-Mosul Iraq is no Tehran dominates over 60 percent of of a jihadi army is one thing, and the now strives to control Kurdish soil place for negotiators Iraq. It’s in Tehran’s interest to next defeat of jihadi ideology is another. between Mosul and the Syrian border wearing loafers and dominate Iraq’s Kurdish region. It’s in The two are related, of course, but the to enable a physical link from Tehran pin-striped suits. It’s a our interest to prevent it. first is a relatively short-term kinetic to Syria’s Mediterranean shoreline place of dusty boots and Here’s why we must: A strong effort, and the second is not. Victory and to Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in bare-knuckle competi- Kurdistan, independent of Baghdad’s against both is in U.S. interest, but the Lebanon. While Western eyes shift to

• 2017 27 • July Thursday tion, where results on chronic dysfunction and Tehran’s ma- U.S. will not have a leading role in the Raqqa, Tehran maintains 15,000 Shia 20 the ground are a function of muscle levolent influence, materially advances second. That is the province for mod- Pand not of eloquence. It’s a place five important American interests. erate Sunni voices, among those the » see Audino | C21 The Kurds: An excellent example of ‘what can be’

By Gen. Anthony Zinni

had no idea who the Kurds were until April 6, 1991. At that time I was the Deputy Operations officer at the U.S. European Command. As the Gulf War wound down, we were alerted to an ongoing brutal mas- Photo Credit: Kurdistan Iraq Tours LLC/Tour Guide sacre that Saddam was conducting of IIraqis in the northern provinces of Iraq. powers in the region to swallow them up. of terrorism and fought bravely against prosperous Kurdish society can grow We were ordered to immediately What immediately impressed those of great odds. They have paid a steep price based on our shared values. The fight- deploy to the region and provide support us involved in this mission was not only for their commitment to arms and never ing will eventually draw down and and protection for those victims of his how grateful they were for our interven- wavered in the face of the horrors perpe- there is worry about what comes next

wrath who had defied his tyranny. These tion on their behalf, but also how much trated by the likes of ISIS and others who in the troubled and devastated area that A S PECI AL R EPO were the Kurds. they wanted to do for themselves. From have wished to destroy them and their cul- remains. I was to spend the next seven months their tough-as-nails fighters, the Pesh- ture. All they asked for was the arms and The Kurds provide an excellent on Operation Provide Comfort and learn merga, to those who wanted to be part support necessary to defend themselves example of what can be. By supporting a great deal about these tough, proud and of constructing the temporary camps. In and defeat the forces threatening them them and investing in their continued resilient people who tenaciously fought today’s environment, where we question and the region. Even as the vicious fight- development, we can help create a model for their freedom. allies’ willingness to burden share and ing continued over the years, they built a for stability. T P R EP In those months in southern Turkey assume equal risk, we have never had to vibrant and democratic society in the area

and northern Iraq, I became fascinated in question that when it comes to the Kurds. we committed to protecting in 1991. Retired U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Anthony AR E D B who these people were — their history, The region and the people that we The Kurds are a model for all per- C. Zinni is a former Commander in Chief their culture and their character. They protected in Operation Provide Comfort secuted peoples of this region. As evil of the U.S. Central Command and for- fought for centuries to preserve their have proven themselves to be dedicated forces such as ISIS are rolled back and mer Special envoy for the Middle East Y T H E W identity, despite attempts by the shifting allies. They have taken on the challenges defeated, it is clear that a thriving and in the George W. Bush administration. INGTONASH TIME S AD

1776 and then argued with each other north through Turkey have the potential allied Moscow), displacing Washington Audino for the next 13 years until we fully to help undermine Russian energy le- from its interests in Iraq. From page C20 ratified the Constitution. The KRI is vers on Ankara and the European Union An independent Kurdistan, strength- also trying to figure it out, but it seized (EU). NATO partner Turkey relies on ened by resolute U.S. support, will pre- the opportunity provided in 2003 by Moscow for 35 percent of its annual vent that by disrupting Tehran’s territo- THE WASHINGTON TIMES VOC militiamen near Tal Afar to the west of our invasion and lifted itself from the oil and 60 percent of its natural gas. rial ambitions. Our doing so, however, A

Mosul, expands a new nearby airstrip, ashes of genocide to produce the most The Europeans are no less dependent requires courage. Real World geopoli- C endeavors to co-opt the Yezidis in Sin- peaceful, the most stable, the most on Russian energy, and are sufficiently tics is the domain of self-interest, and Y D EP jar on the Syrian border, and prepares democratic and the most American- concerned of the associated strategic its associated calculus is one of power. to use the upcoming battle for Hawija, friendly region in Iraq. To date, no risk that Brussels published an Energy That this sounds unseemly to Western AR TMENT a remaining ISIS snakepit in Iraq, to in- American has died by an enemy’s hand Security Strategy in 2014 purposed pri- ears is human, but it is also immaterial. sert Iranian proxies south of Kurdish- on Kurdish-controlled soil. marily to diversify its energy purchases When stakes are high, great nations

administered Kirkuk. Tehran also plans Maintaining access to energy — away from Moscow. But the Europeans make themselves greater not just by | Thursday • July 27 • 2017 to spend $4 billion on intelligence means keeping it in the hands of al- are not the only ones dependent on exercising remarkable restraint when activities inside the Kurdistan Re- lies, not in the clutches of adversar- Russian oil — the Russians are, too. patience runs thin, but by imposing gion of Iraq (KRI). The result: Iran is ies. Iranian proxies dominate terrain More than 70 percent of their exports their will when negotiators in loafers consolidating on three sides of the KRI over two-thirds of Iraqi oil reserves are of energy, which generates 52 per- meet smash-mouth in dusty boots. and will be in position to compel our and have recently gained positions cent of the Russian federal budget. Mos- Kurdish ally’s behavior in the future. on three sides of the remaining third, cow’s largest energy customer, the EU, Retired Army Brig. Gen. Ernie Promoting more democratic al- that lying beneath Kurdish soil in the consumes a full 84 percent of Russian Audino, is a Senior Military Fellow lies — is a key purpose of rational north. This is no minor matter, as the oil exports and 76 percent of Russian at the London Center for Policy Re- U.S. foreign policy. The Kurdistan combined reserves in Iraq are second natural gas exports. search. He is also the only U.S. Army Region of Iraq is an imperfect democ- largest in OPEC. An American strategic reversal in general to have served a year as a racy, but so was ours until we figured Here’s why this is particularly impor- the Middle East cannot be delivered by combat adviser embedded in a Kurd- it out. We won our independence in tant: Kurdish energy reserves pumped ISIS, but it can be driven by Tehran (and ish peshmerga brigade in Iraq. 21 Understanding the Kurdistan Region as a strategic U.S. ally

directing such organizations. The first mistake, and Washington is now engaged A year after the 1991 Gulf War, coalition and best example is Hezbollah, which with Baghdad on reaching agreement for air forces, operating out of Turkey, kept Tehran helped found in Lebanon in the a longer-term U.S. military presence. Saddam Hussein’s army at bay. Saddam early 1980s, following Israel’s ill-fated Iran, along with its local allies, had imposed an internal embargo on the invasion of that country. Thirty years strongly opposes that. Whether such Kurds, who were also subject to the inter- later, Hezbollah remains an important in- an agreement can be reached remains national sanctions on Iraq as a whole. stitution for projecting Iranian influence uncertain. Moreover, Iraq will hold elec- Of course, the U.S. should not have in the region! tions next year and there is no guaran- imposed sanctions meant to keep Sad- Some Iranian-supported PMF lead- tee that Mr. Abadi will remain prime dam weak on the Kurdistan Region (that ers are shocking figures, linked to lethal minister. Any agreement reached with was the manifestation then of America’s assaults on Americans. In 1983, Iranian- his government could easily be undone if commitment to a “one-Iraq” policy.) backed terrorists bombed the U.S. and someone else wins the elections. Despite the difficulties, the Kurds carried French embassies in Kuwait. Kuwaiti However, in marked contrast to the on, relieved that Saddam’s brutal oppres- authorities charged Abu Mahdi al-Mu- Arab areas of Iraq, the Kurdistan Region sion had ended and grateful to Ameri- handis with involvement in the attacks. — both people and government — is cans for that. Mr. Muhandis now heads a major PMF extremely friendly to Americans. The But why defend this region from Tur- group in Iraq. Kurdistan Regional Government will key? Wouldn’t a U.S. airfield in Kurdistan By Laurie Mylroie Qais al-Khazali is another such figure. hold a referendum on independence on be nifty? The U.S. could sit at the backs of He was involved in Iran’s IED campaign Sept. 25. both Saddam and Iran’s mullahs. I asked ast May, Lt. Gen. Vincent against U.S. forces in Iraq before 2012 and The U.S., short of allies in that part of the two Kurdish leaders — Massoud Stewart, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, told the Senate Armed Ser- vices Committee that Kurdish independence “is on a trajec- tory where it is probably not ‘if’, but ‘when.’” LMr. Stewart also explained that after ISIS is defeated in Mosul, the “greatest TMENT

AR challenge” to the Baghdad government will be “to reconcile the differences be-

Y D EP tween the Shia-dominated government, C

A the Sunnis out west, and the Kurds in the north.” VOC “Failure to address these challenges,” he warned, “will ultimately result in conflict among all of the parties,” which could deteriorate into “civil strife” in Iraq. Baghdad has now proclaimed victory in Mosul, but there is little indication INGTON TIME S AD ASH INGTON that it is rising to the task Mr. Stewart described. Iraq’s government remains

Y T H E W strongly sectarian. Baghdad’s failure to address the needs and concerns of Sunni Arabs prepared AR E D B the ground for ISIS’ spectacular advance into Iraq in the summer of 2014. The

T P R EP Obama administration insisted that then- Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki step down before it would support Baghdad. now leads another powerful group. the world, should welcome this vote. It Barzani and Jalal Talabani — what they Mr. Maliki was replaced by Haydar Iraq scarcely controls its own borders, could well bring significant advantages. thought of the idea. “You are welcome,” al-Abadi, a far less sectarian figure and and Tehran is far advanced in its objec- One of the most concrete and obvious is they each replied. by all accounts a decent man. However, tive of creating a corridor under the con- military basing facilities. There are other reasons why the U.S. AL R EPO A S PECI THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON

as in Washington, the mere replacement trol of loyal militias, from its border with An independent Kurdistan would should support the Kurdish indepen- | of one leader by another is most unlikely Iraq, on through to Syria and Lebanon. happily provide the U.S. military bases dence referendum, including to make the to change policy fundamentals (just ask Nor does Baghdad appear to be into the indefinite future — and without Middle East a better place, where the as- Donald Trump!) doing what is necessary to reconcile political conditions that others might pirations of the people more closely align Indeed, in some respects, the war with its Sunni Arab population. Human impose. Even now, the U.S.-led fight with the actions of their government. against ISIS has increased Iraq’s sec- Rights Watch reports that Iraqi forces against ISIS in Syria is supplied from Such a process will be long and slow, tarianism. It has created significant new are engaged in widespread, retaliatory the Kurdistan Region — and not from but the Kurdistan Region is a very good vehicles for promoting Iran’s influence: executions in west Mosul, while the Turkey, which strongly objects to the U.S. place for the next step. the Shii’ite-dominated militias, known as Iraqi government does little to stop it. partnership with the Kurdish-led Syrian the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), The “revenge killings will haunt Iraq for Democratic Forces. Laurie Mylroie is a Washington, D.C. Cor-

• 2017 27 • July Thursday which arose to support the Iraqi army in generations to come,” it warns. In 1992, when I first toured the Kurd- respondent for Kurdistan24, covering fighting ISIS. U.S. officials regard the U.S. with- istan Region, I found the vast size and the Pentagon and State Department. 22 Iran has long experience creating and drawal for Iraq in 2012 as a major peacefulness of the area very impressive. The Peshmerga: Fearsome, fearless fighters

along with its American partner unit, effective Kurdish and Sunni command- john-allen-isis-war-obama-2015-9) — I deployed to Baghdad to take part in the ers, only to drop the charges once they told him that ISIS cannot hold territory operation that decimated al Qaeda — were removed from command. It was the against a capable ground force with U.S. The Surge. easiest way to have them removed from air support and cited the Peshmerga’s Most Iraqi units at the time were their positions and filled with his cronies. role in retaking the Mosul Dam as an afraid to take on both al Qaeda and The 2nd and 3rd Iraqi Divisions that example. It was this example that was Iranian-backed Shia militias, but this unit operated in Talafar and Mosul were now used as model for our U.S. strategy. did exactly that when it was deployed politicized to the point where they were The Peshmerga stopped ISIS from to one of the most dangerous parts of ineffective in combat — the Peshmerga spreading into Kurdish territory in Iraq, Baghdad. This Peshmerga unit was one were no longer wearing the Iraqi Army partnered with U.S. Special Operators to of the first units capable of operating as a uniform. Mr. Maliki had successfully bring combat power to the Syrian Kurds national force, meaning it could be effec- purged competent Kurdish commanders fighting ISIS in the Syrian city of Kobane, tive in areas bordering Kurdish areas and and their troops from the two divisions and sealed off Mosul for two years while as effective in areas where Shia militias that helped decimate al Qaeda during waiting for Baghdad to mobilize against and al Qaeda stoked sectarian flames. The Surge. ISIS and begin the Mosul offensive. The Peshmerga were the chosen With the purge complete and Mr. Ma- The U.S. relies on Kurdish intel and By Michael Pregent force to fill the ranks of the Iraqi Special liki’s cronies in place, ISIS saw an open- weighs it higher than what comes out of Operations Forces (ISOF); they part- ing. Two short years later — Mr. Maliki’s Baghdad’s intel agencies; we rely on our y first deployment nered with American Special Operators politicized force abandoned the citizens trusted Kurdish allies and proven broth- to Iraq was as an to conduct raids against key al Qaeda of Talafar and Mosul and left U.S. tanks ers in combat against al Qaeda and now embedded adviser to and Shia militia targets. and Humvees to ISIS. in this fight against ISIS. The fight is not a reflagged Kurdish Peshmerga battalion in Mosul in 2005. The 3rd Battalion of the 4th Brigade of the 2nd Iraqi Army MDivision was a Peshmerga unit from Duhok and would be responsible for conducting counterinsurgency opera- tions in West Mosul at the height of the

Sunni insurgency. A S PECI AL R EPO We were 10 American advisers embedded with a 500-man Kurdish force commanded by Col. Nooraldeen al-Herki in the heart of al Qaeda’s stronghold in West Mosul. We were also the luckiest 10 Americans in Iraq — we T P R EP had a pro-American force that made

American partner units more effective in AR E D B decimating al Qaeda. We partnered with LTC Eric Kurilla’s Deuce 4 (https://www.michaelyon- Y T H E W online.com/gates-of-fire.htm), a Stryker

Battalion out of Fort Lewis, Washington. INGTONASH TIME S AD The Peshmerga unit I was with was his go-to partner unit for developing intel- ligence and conducting raids against al Qaeda High-Value-Targets — military for al Qaeda leadership. This U.S.-Pesh- merga partnership was very successful Photo Credit: Kurdistan Iraq Tours LLC/Tour Guide against al Qaeda terrorists in Mosul and Paintings on a Kurdistan wall pay tribute to the bravery of the Peshmerga. THE WASHINGTON TIMES VOC oversaw security for parliamentary elec- A

tions in 2005. C In 2006, we pushed to the east side The Peshmerga were so effective that There is no doubt that if those effec- over and continued success against ISIS Y D EP of Mosul or as the Kurds call it the “left- Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki saw them as tive Sunni and Peshmerga commanders will remain dependent on our continued side” as they look south from Kurdistan. a potential threat and brought the ISOF had remained, ISIS would not have been relationship with our Kurdish allies. AR TMENT Security improved in Mosul due to the under his direct control — and purged able to roll into Mosul and Talafar — When Iraqis — all Iraqis — are wor- effectiveness of this Peshmerga unit to the predominantly Kurdish force and evidenced by the wall ISIS faced when ried about security, they go to Kurdis-

the point where President George W. replaced them with Shia Party loyalists. it tried to push into Kurdish territory. tan. There will always be an answer to | Thursday • July 27 • 2017 Bush touted Mosul as an example of He took a counterterrorism strike force The Peshmerga held their own, despite emerging terrorist threats in Iraq — and what an effective operation looks like. and made it a countercoup force — he Baghdad’s decision to push U.S. arms the answer will come from the north. Most of the unit was familiar with politicized it and, as a result, made it and equipment to Islamic Revolutionary From “those who face death” — the Mosul’s neighborhoods and tribal lead- ineffective. Guard Corps-backed Shia militias, but Peshmerga. ers, and they spoke Mosul’s dialect of Mr. Maliki didn’t stop there: He deny them to the Peshmerga. Iraqi Arabic. They effectively helped purged effective Peshmerga and Sunni The Islamic State’s first loss of terri- Michael Pregent is an Adjunct Fellow U.S. forces protect the 2.2 million Sun- Arab Iraqi commanders, prompting tory was to a Peshmerga force with U.S. at the Hudson Institute. He is a senior nis, Kurds and Christians, and pushed my return to Mosul in 2008 to assess air support — the Mosul Dam, north of Middle East analyst, a former adjunct al Qaeda out of Mosul — all without the situation on behalf of United States Mosul, Iraq. I later had a chance to brief lecturer for the College of International knocking down a single building in Iraq’s Forces-Iraq (USF-I) Commander Army Gen. John Allen upon his appointment Security Affairs, and a visiting fellow at second-largest city. Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno. by President Barack Obama as the ISIS the Institute for National Strategic Stud- With security improving, this unit, Mr. Maliki brought false charges against czar (http://www.businessinsider.com/ ies at the National Defense University. 23 Key factors beckon support for Iraqi Kurds

win that we can achieve in the region Considering the above, we should, in is important to us and we will remain ... but it is a strategic win. conjunction with the Kurdistan Re- involved, and it would signal to our Iraqi Kurdistan provides us with gional Government (KRG), develop a Sunni allies in the Middle East that we several strategic and economic options. policy that embodies support for KRG are challenging the Iranian domination There are significant factors that favor independence. For all practical pur- of the region. our support of the Iraqi Kurds: poses, the old boundaries of Iraq have Iraqi Kurdistan not only has large oil • They are pro-United States and been destroyed and will not return. The reserves, but it also has immense gas intensely loyal because Operation Kurds essentially have been semi-inde- reserves — projected to exceed 2 tril- Provide Comfort in 1991 saved them pendent since 2003 and almost com- lion cubic feet. We could, in partnership from starvation and annihilation and pletely independent since 2014. with the KRG, develop these reserves Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 lib- We should also establish a continu- and pipe gas into Europe; this would, in erated them from Saddam Hussein. ing U.S. military footprint with 90-day the future, provide for us tremendous • They have a freely elected demo- to 120-day training rotations though economic leverage to counter Vladimir cratic government that willingly the deployment of an USAF Air Wing, Putin’s economy. receives and protects Christians — an Army Brigade Combat Team or a Finally, such a strategy provides the in fact, all faiths — throughout the USMC Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Kurds who, next to the Israelis, are our region. (Pictured: Kurdish Pesh- training rotation removes the specter most loyal allies in the Middle East, By Lt. Gen. Jay Garner merga forces return the cross to a of occupation. We should analyze the with freedom from the Iranian puppet

nce the war with ISIS is concluded in Iraq, the Arabs — both Shia and Sunni — will demand our removal; only the Kurds will want us to remain. It is also certain that Iran will exert far more control over OBaghdad than they have in the past. Prior to the invasion by ISIS in 2014, the Iranians had loosely knitted a strong “Shia Arc” extending from Tehran through Baghdad, Damascus and Beirut. Today, with the strong alli- TMENT

AR ance of the Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Russians and the expeditionary arm of

Y D EP the Hezbollah in Syria, and the pres- C

A ence of the Iranian-led Shia militants in Iraq, the arc is being consolidated VOC into a “thoroughfare” that will control the Levant and significantly increase the horrible attacks on the Israeli population. In a recent op-ed, Charles Krauthammer said the Shiite Crescent is “stretching from Iran through Iraq, Syria and Lebanon to the Mediter- INGTON TIME S AD ASH INGTON ranean. If consolidated, it gives the Persians a Mediterranean reach they

Y T H E W have not had in 2,300 years.” We have unwittingly accommodated the Iranians by maintaining our “One AR E D B Iraq” policy, which guarantees that their proxy government in Baghdad

T P R EP will continue to marginalize the Kurds because it allows Bagdad to block aid, Image courtesy of Lt. Gen. Jay Garner. material and revenues for the Kurdish Kurdish Peshmerga returned a cross to a church after a battle. Regional Government and prevents direct assistance. If we continue to aid the Iranians with this senseless policy, local church that was destroyed by potential of deploying a Navy ground- government in Baghdad and noticeably AL R EPO A S PECI THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON

no matter how much blood or money ISIS). based Aegis or Army THAAD System aligns them with us. It would estab- | we waste, we will not be able to change • They occupy one of the most stra- to engage Iranian ballistic missiles that lish a dominant U.S. military footprint the outcome. tegic locations in that part of the would be launched toward Europe or that serves to notify the world that we Consequently, we should develop a world: Our enemy Iran is to their the U.S. This would not only catch the remain committed to the region. Lastly, strategy that will allow us to continue east; their puppet Iraq is to their Iranians off guard, it would also serve it provides hydrocarbon assets that can to have leverage in the region. This south; our enemy Syria is to their to counter the Russian footprint that is be used to reduce or eliminate Europe’s must start with the abandonment of west; and Turkey, a NATO ally, is being established in the region. These economic dependence on Russia ... the “One Iraq” policy, followed by to their north, which would give us rotations serve as a trigger for any another strategic win. strong support for the Iraqi Kurds excellent lines of communication. incursions into the area. They provide and for their impending referendum. • They have abundant natural re- a secure force projection platform that Retired Lt. Gen. Jay Garner, former As-

• 2017 27 • July Thursday The referendum is not a declaration sources in oil and gas, which are allows rapid deployment of forces into sistant Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, of independence; it is a proclamation among the largest remaining hydro- the area. They serve as a signal to both directed humanitarian efforts in the 24 of self-determination. This is the only carbon reserves in the world. our allies and our enemies that the area Kurdish Region after the 1991 Gulf War. The Kurds: Potential strategic partners the U.S. deserves

The journey was a tough one, with many For a start, the U.S. continues to need to KRI, and have maintained relatively successes and failures, but U.S.-KRI rela- strategic partners in the ever-changing good neighborly relationships with both. tions grew stronger and developed into a Middle East, where its vital interests will Finally, being a Muslim-majority country mutually rewarding partnership. remain at stake. and having been part of Iraq, the KRI The U.S. continued to protect the In a region that is in turmoil, there are leaders have had unhindered access to Iraqi Kurds from Saddam’s regime in the numerous local, regional and global ac- most of the Arab countries. years leading up to the regime change in tors engaged in complex power dynam- On the issue of KRI’s internal gov- Baghdad in 2003, and ensured that the ics and zero-sum games. Terrorism is on ernance challenges, the U.S. can help a Kurds would have their fair share in the the rise with many failed states in the great deal via constructive engagement. new Iraq. The U.S. once again came to region. The U.S. and Europe face a much- KRI leaders have always appreciated the rescue of the KRI in the face of the reduced space and leverage for driving the value of a strong partnership with Islamic State (IS) onslaught in 2014 and and shaping events. Regional state and the U.S. The KRI, as a small, emerging continued its support to date. The Kurds substate (like KRI) actors have grown in nation, remains vulnerable in the world’s have reciprocated with unreserved influence across borders. A multitude toughest neighborhood and continues to loyalty and solid support for U.S. poli- of non-state actors, legitimized or not, need the U.S. for political and security cies in Iraq. Peshmarga forces became have become increasingly influential in support. This gives the U.S. plenty of indispensable partners in the U.S.-led driving events. leverage that it has never used effec- By Dr. Dlawer Ala’Aldeen global coalition and instrumental in the The KRI, lying in the heart of the tively. In fact, the U.S. has the same kind ultimate military defeat of IS in Iraq. Middle East, is just what the U.S. needs, of leverage with all of its allies in the his year is the 25th anniver- Some consider this KRI-U.S. partner- where it is most needed. The Kurds Middle East but was never willing to use sary of the election of the ship a tactical and temporary one, not have proven themselves skillful and it in fear of negative reactions. On the first parliament and govern- only because IS is being defeated and the dynamic survivors in a conflict zone that contrary, the previous U.S. administra- ment of the Kurdistan Re- U.S. will ostensibly not need the Kurds is overwhelmed by powerful rivals. They tion chose to almost totally disengage gion of Iraq (KRI). Thanks for much longer, but also because the U.S. have strong and historic collaborative with the region, particularly Iraq, and to the “Safe Haven” that the will ultimately stop relying on the Kurds (love-hate) relations with the Shia politi- virtually abandoned its obligation to U.S. and its European allies due to their inability, like the rest of Iraq cal elite of Iraq. They share a long border spread the values of liberty and rule-

with the previously IS-occupied Sunni of-law in the Middle East. The conse- A S PECI AL R EPO T Arab territories, where the challenge of quences were disastrous, forcing the U.S. stabilization is greatest. They accom- to return and face a war against the most modated the majority of the radical of terrorists. displaced Sunni Arabs It might be rare for politicians to request or accept conditional help, but the KRI leaders do when such requests T P R EP come from trusted friends. They are,

and have been, responsive to terms and AR E D B conditions that are linked to good gov- ernance, designed to help their country become a better, stronger and more Y T H E W prosperous place. Only last year, the U.S.

offered $415 million in aid to the Pesh- INGTONASH TIME S AD marga and included strict provisions in their contract, demanding measurable steps towards institutionalization of the force. KRG leaders viewed these condi- tions as “incentives” and “opportunities” to reform. Many used them to con- vince their fellow leaders to endorse THE WASHINGTON TIMES VOC change. A

In short, tough love works with C the Kurds and the U.S. should Y D EP help the KRI become the partner it deserves, and the partner KRI AR TMENT deserves to be.

Dlawer Ala’Aldeen, M.D., Ph.D., is the | Thursday • July 27 • 2017 Founding President of The Middle East Research Institute (MERI), Iraq’s leading policy research institute and independent think tank, based in Erbil in the Kurdistan illustration by greg groeschg Region of Iraq. (www.meri-k.org and Twit- and ethnic and religious ter @meri_info). Formerly a human rights minorities during the IS war. activist, Dr. Ala’Aldeen has served as a created in 1991 to protect the displaced and other Middle Eastern countries, to Internationally, despite the complexity Professor of Medicine in the United King- Kurdish population from Baghdad’s bru- promote rule-of-law and good gover- of the region’s political and security dy- dom and the KRG Minister of Higher Edu- tal attacks, the Kurds turned a crisis into nance and to control corruption, which namics, the KRI political parties have ac- cation and Scientific Research between an opportunity to build a forward-look- runs unacceptably deep. However, the tively engaged with both Iran and Turkey, 2009-2012. His biography is at meri-k.org/ ing nation with democratic aspirations. U.S. and the KRI can prove otherwise. two rival powers and tough neighbors scholars/ Follow him on Twitter: @dlawer 25 TMENT AR Y D EP C A

VOC Kurdistan referendum is legitimate

Kurdish popular consultation, each one self-determination requests based on NATO and the European Union. The for different political reasons. Beyond their own interests, the geopolitical disbanding of Yugoslavia into several the region, Western European govern- context and negotiating abilities. And independent countries was endorsed ments expressed concerns yet not each case dealt with its own particu- by the West, though criticized by Rus- irreversible opposition. Europe’s major lar conditions within the country and sia. South Sudan got its own state in INGTON TIME S AD ASH INGTON powers have at the same time opposed region. 2011, and around the globe a number of separatism within their own borders The right for self-determination has national and ethnic communities have

Y T H E W (as in Northern Ireland, Basque and been consecrated in the founding char- been striving to achieve statehood. Corsica) yet have supported it in the ter of the United Nations, and since its Sovereign statehood is not illegal. former Yugoslavia twice. founding in 1945, via several General Many countries we know, including AR E D B In the United States, many mem- Assembly resolutions recognizing that ours in America, somehow separated bers of Congress support the Kurdish right for nations to decide their future. from another power in order to exist.

T P R EP referendum and a few openly support However, international law during the But in other cases, instead of separa- the rise of a separate Kurdish state in Cold War narrowed self-determination tion, nations like Germany reconsti- northern Iraq for historic reasons. As to decolonization for realpolitik rea- tuted their national identity by reunit- during the presidential campaign, the sons. Separatism, especially violent ing in 1989. Most countries want to Trump administration continues to separatism, was not encouraged. maintain intact borders, and very un- By Dr. Walid Phares commit to solidarity with the Kurds Hence, long or catastrophic civil wars, derstandably. Reconstructing frontiers AL R EPO A S PECI THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON

fighting ISIS, but has not yet developed such as seen in South Sudan, Nigeria, is dangerous and could trigger chaos if | ince the Kurdish Re- a direct policy regarding the referen- Eritrea or Kashmir — or even in the not well organized and accepted by all gional Government of dum or separation. case of the Kurdish uprising in Iraq — parties concerned. Northern Iraq, backed The most recent polls do show that never ended happily with an emer- Separatism has traditionally been by its local legislative a majority of Kurdish political parties gence of a new state. seen as a last resort, and thus the world assembly, decided to in northern Iraq support the move With the end of the Cold War, how- has always demanded justification. The organize a referendum while non-Kurdish communities are ever, international relations allowed party seeking separation has always on self-determination, divided on the issue. These are the for wider acceptance of the principle been asked to demonstrate that it is in- both positive and negative reactions present geopolitical realities engulfing of separatism, as long as they were deed different and seeking an identity were fielded in Iraq, the Middle East the projected vote in September. Such peaceful or presented as a solution of its own and that it is suppressed or

• 2017 27 • July Thursday S and internationally. Baghdad and the complex positioning is not unique. In to human tragedies. Czechoslovakia has experienced tragic and cataclysmic two main neighbors of Iraq — Iran and every similar past ethnic territorial split smoothly into two republics, both 26 Turkey — expressed opposition to the crises, all parties involved reacted to welcomed by the U.N., and later into » see Phares | C27 Phares From page C26 events. But what has become a rela- tively new accepted procedure, a sine qua non condition, is the necessity of holding a referendum. Regard- less of the outcome, a referendum is a license to claim statehood. The international community must see the will of the people before recognizing any outcome. Hence we’ve seen many referendums taking place and not al- ways leading to new borders: Quebec in Canada, Scotland in the United Kingdom, East Timor, Southern Sudan — and requests for such exercises in other countries such as Belgium. In short, referendums are a form of a democratic expression. They are legal, legitimate, and a peaceful tool to help a people move forward or affirm the status quo. Iraqi Kurdistan has long presented many conditions justifying its right to hold a referendum, even if the results may not automatically lead to a state. The painful history of oppression under Saddam, and the most recent bloody campaign by ISIS against the Kurds and other minorities in north- ern Iraq since 2014, constitute the Photo Credit:​ ​Kurdistan Iraq Tours LLC/Tour Guide tragic elements of the equation. The A S PECI AL R EPO Kurds of Iraq have already obtained, The Sheikh Allah Bazaar is one of the most famous and dynamic markets in​ Erbil, Kurdistan. from their own co-citizens, Arab Sun- nis and Shia, a right to form a federa- tive entity in the north, demonstrating the country’s recognition of local self- The most recent polls do determination for the Kurds. Iraqis show that a majority of T P R EP have agreed that they are diverse in Kurdish political parties their constitution, and referendum is AR E D B not an alien concept to them. In short, in northern Iraq support the Kurds have a perfect right to the move while non- organize a referendum to consult their Kurdish communities Y T H E W own population regarding their future. are divided on the issue.

But that right is not theirs alone. The INGTONASH TIME S AD new norm of acceptance is to then These are the present engage in negotiations with Baghdad geopolitical realities after the vote. Scotland and Quebec, engulfing the projected for example, were ready for that inter- national norm and prepared to negoti- vote in September. ate with their central governments. The U.S. and the international countries, including (primarily) THE WASHINGTON TIMES VOC community know all too well that Tu r k e y. A

the Kurds have suffered and that (4) Representatives of the northern C they wish to move forward with their Iraqi entity should be prepared to Y D EP destiny. But four conditions should be engage in full-scale negotiations met in order for the referendum to be with the Iraqi government AR TMENT accepted by the outside world: regarding what comes next. Any Photo Credit:​ ​Kurdistan Iraq Tours LLC/Tour Guide (1) It must be peaceful and negotiated and agreed upon Korek Mountain Resort​ near Erbil, Kurdistan.

transparent. settlement between the two | Thursday • July 27 • 2017 (2) Non-Kurdish communities, such parties will be the real guarantee civilized. After ISIS, Iraq needs calm will exercise that right and the world as Assyrians, Yazidis, Chaldeans, for future stability. and stability, secured against a new will watch them move forward into a Syriacs, Turkomen, Shabak and The results of this referendum could ISIS, and freed from Iranian domina- more tolerant 21st century. Mandeans, should be granted full simply maintain the status quo, set up tion. The referendum in northern Iraq minorities rights within Iraqi a modified and more advanced federal will be one benchmark in Iraq’s evolu- Walid Phares, Ph.D., is a profes- Kurdistan. system in Iraq, develop a confederal tion. It will demonstrate a political sor of political science and Middle (3) Should the outcome lead to system of two states within one Iraqi maturity in which ethnic communities East expert. He served as foreign full separation, the new entity country, or may lead to a Czechoslovak- can exercise their fundamental right policy adviser to presidential can- should vow not to serve as a like peaceful model. What is important to express themselves without endan- didate Donald Trump in 2016. springboard for destabilizing for the populations of Iraq and for the gering their partners in the state, the neighboring countries by Kurds and other minorities is that any minorities among them, or their neigh- supporting guerillas in these move be peaceful, democratic and bors in the region. The Kurds of Iraq 27 The threatened future of Christianity in Iraq By Archbishop Bashar Warda, sure they have a livable home to return C.Ss.R. to. It would be wrong for us, and the world, to force them now into a home- write on behalf of the remaining less situation, for these people will then Christians of Northern Iraq, a decide to leave Iraq for good. As such, threatened and persecuted popu- we will remain in a time of transition lation, which looks warily to the over the coming months, and in this we coming years. will continue to need support. In the three years since the In terms of the threatened church, onset of the crisis, when over which is facing violent external, even 100,000 displaced Christians fled existential threats, how can we work INineveh with death at their heels and ar- towards a viable future? In the Middle rived at our doors in Erbil, in the Kurdis- East, we see a Christianity that faces tan Region of Iraq, our Archdiocese has ongoing violent persecution, even played the lead role in providing care genocide. Very little of this persecution and hope for the vast majority of these is now happening in secret. In this day people. In this ongoing crisis, we remain of instant communications, this violence always grateful for the solidarity with is shown to all of us almost immedi- our friends worldwide, whose generos- ately. And yet it seems so often that our ity has kept us in a position of viability, governments and our institutions are albeit a tenuous one. unable, or refuse, to truly act. How important has this solidarity In Iraq, we Christians faced a perse- been to us during this time? In brief, it cution that not only sought to destroy has been everything. For without the our church, but also to destroy us as a solidarity of humanitarian outreach people by forcing us, under threat of from our friends in private, faith-based death, from our historic homelands, organizations around the world, we after which they sought to remove all would not have survived these past three traces of our culture and heritage. Our years. While the established institutional present efforts and hopes to return to aid structures ignored us, our friends our homes have received sympathetic from the private aid community, large words from Western governments, but and small, kept us in their hearts and so far little else. took action to save us. We learn now, with great sorrow TMENT

AR In looking back on this time, we must and pain, that lawyers at the United note as well the critical support of the States State Department have begun

Y D EP Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) taking quiet moves, in the dark, so it C

A in opening the borders to the displaced would seem, to rescind the Genocide Christians during their flight, and for pro- declaration made over one year ago by VOC viding us with the space and security to former Secretary of State John Kerry. house our people in safety over the past In saying this, I wish that I could tell you that our Once again, the Christians of Iraq find three years. We are grateful, as well, for themselves on the receiving end of yet the moral support that the leaders of the crisis in Iraq has passed, that our people can another ruse. One can only wonder what KRG have shown to us by publicly par- safely return to their homes, and that our problems those behind this effort contemplate in ticipating in the celebration of our most have now been resolved. But that is not the case. terms of the irreparable damage being Holy days, and granting us the practical done here to the diminishing credibility INGTON TIME S AD ASH INGTON support necessary to open our medical This coming year may yet prove to be the most of their government’s word. clinics, schools, and our new university, dangerous for us since the beginning of the crisis. As for our future, we look to rebuild

Y T H E W the Catholic University in Erbil. where we can, and contribute as full citi- Overall we pray that this solidarity have been destroyed. This includes support and value our continued ex- zens with equal rights under a legitimate may continue, for we are in a time in homes, and also the power and water istence in Iraq, do during this time of sovereign government, as chosen freely AR E D B which Christianity itself will continue to systems. Many of those who wish to transition to take care of our people? by the people. We urge the govern- be threatened and persecuted through- return have no houses left to return to. The immediate and greatest priority ments of Kurdistan and Iraq to resolve

T P R EP out the Mideast — indeed, throughout Those homes left standing were in most must be to return the displaced Chris- the issue of the disputed territories of much of the world — until the minds cases looted and stripped of even their tians to their homes wherever it is pos- Nineveh now, and we implore the West that have been taught violence and wiring and plumbing. sible to do so. A world whose conscience to ensure that this takes place in a peace- hate can come to see the greater truth Nineveh, our ancient Christian feels for us at all must support these ful fashion. of mercy and love, which is inherently homeland, remains a disputed terri- efforts and do so now, while the demo- Beyond all this, we ask those in common to us all. tory, caught between the governments graphic future of Nineveh is so clearly at power in the West to not turn their eyes AL R EPO A S PECI THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON

In saying this, I wish that I could tell in Erbil and Baghdad, along with all the risk. We must be clear in this: The future from us. Iraq first embraced Christianity | you that our crisis in Iraq has passed, other foreign powers who seek to inter- of Nineveh will be decided by the action almost 2,000 years ago. Our population, that our people can safely return to their vene and control Iraq, whether directly or inaction that is taken in these next 1.5 million in 2003, is perhaps less than homes, and that our problems have now or indirectly. Meanwhile, especially in few months. Absent support for the right 300,000 today. We are an ancient people been resolved. But that is not the case. the Iraqi-controlled sector, the security and ability of Christians to return to on the verge of extinction, seeking only This coming year may yet prove to be situation remains uncertain, with rival their homes, the makeup of Nineveh — to live our lives in peace. Today we live the most dangerous for us since the militias seeking power over each other, and with it, the plurality of Iraq — may our days in extremis. We did not arrive beginning of the crisis. often acting as proxies from outside be changed forever. at this place on our own. While it is true that the Christian powers. If these powers enter into new At the same time, we must not lands have been liberated from ISIS, conflict, we Christians know only one abandon those who cannot yet return Most Reverend Bashar Warda,

• 2017 27 • July Thursday what is left in the wake of the war pres- thing — that we will be the collateral to their homes. As much as we seek to C.Ss.R., is Archbishop of the Chal- ents us with still enormous problems damage once again. encourage our displaced people and dean Catholic Archdiocese of 28 to overcome. Our towns in many cases What then can we, and those who help them in returning, we must make Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Kurdistan: A proven sanctuary and ‘safe haven’ for refugees

By Robert A. Destro and care, shelter and food. Carole A. O’Leary Of Iraq’s 600,000 Yezidis, today more than 400,000 have found shelter within he people and regional gov- the borders of the Kurdistan Region. ernment of Iraqi Kurdistan Now engaged in the final battle to lib- have long played a vital role erate Mosul City, the Kurdistan Region’s in protecting Christians, military — the Peshmerga — which Yazidis and all religious includes Christian and Yazidi units, has minorities. Muslims and been continuously fighting the Islamic non-Muslims alike are free State since 2014. to practice their religion openly in the To be clear, the only way to ef- TKurdistan Region of Iraq. fectively protect Christians and other Of equal importance, since the religious minorities from ISIS and Islamic State (ISIS) took over large areas like-minded groups is for the U.S. and of northern Iraq in 2014, the Kurdis- international community to support the tan Regional Government (KRG) has Photo credit: The Catholic University of America KRG in its continued efforts to protect provided vital security and assistance religious freedom and provide vital ser- to almost 2 million internally displaced sanctuary for an estimated 1.8 million and camp management and camp vices to 1.8 million IDPs and refugees. Iraqis and Syrian refugees — mainly refugees and IDPs: monitoring. Therefore, members of Congress and Christians, but also Yazidis, and others. -- Some 250,000 of these are refugees Prior to 2003, the Christian popula- the Trump administration should: Reflecting on the important role of the from Syria, and the rest are IDPs from tion of Iraq is thought to have been as i. Declare that the Kurdistan Re- KRG, His Excellency Bashar Matti Warda, within Iraq. high as 1.5 million. Today, their numbers gion of Iraq is a “safe haven,” where all the Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil, stated -- One in five people in the Kurdistan are between 300,000 and 450,000, with religious minorities targeted by ISIS are that: “During the darkest points of the Region are IDPs or refugees. most of the population, according to protected; crisis, the KRG, and in particular the lead- -- In Dohuk, the smallest province in Christian sources, residing or seeking ii. Designate other areas of Iraq — ership, showed great solidarity with us, Iraqi Kurdistan and the most affected, refuge in Iraqi Kurdistan. such as the Nineveh Plain — as “safe attending Christmas Mass with us, stating the ratio in some villages between locals In summer 2014, some 120,000 havens,” where religious and ethnic A S PECI AL R EPO publicly that we would live here together and IDPs or refugees is 1:1. Christians fled in terror from the bibli- minorities targeted by ISIS can return or die here together.” According to the World Bank and the cal lands of Mosul and the Plains of to their homes, be protected and, if they His Excellency added that: “The KRG Ministry of Planning, as of Septem- Nineveh, as ISIS threatened them with wish, begin their lives anew; most important thing the KRG did for us ber 2015, the KRG spent approximately “conversion” or death. On August 7, 2014, iii. Witness and record the evidence during the crisis was to respect us and USD $1 billion to meet the needs of the they arrived in Ainkawa, the Christian of genocide perpetrated on the Yazidis, show that our people had value in the internally displaced population, includ- Quarter of Erbil. Exhausted, fearful and Christians, the Shabak and other reli- T P R EP fabric of the social community.” ing health services, water, electricity, hungry, these Christians turned to their gious minorities;

Currently, the KRG is providing security and protection, education churches and to the KRG for medical iv. Visit Iraqi Kurdistan to see what AR E D B the KRG has accomplished to protect Christians and other religious minorities who have sought refuge in Iraqi Kurdis- Y T H E W tan from throughout Iraq and Syria.

v. Recognize that the KRG cannot INGTONASH TIME S AD do this alone. The continued protection and welfare of IDPs and refugees in the Kurdistan Region — including Chris- tians and other religious minorities — depends on the support of the American people and their representatives in Congress. THE WASHINGTON TIMES VOC Today, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is A

truly a “safe haven” for religious minori- C ties, internally displaced Iraqis and Syr- Y D EP ian refugees threatened by the Islamic State and other extremist groups. AR TMENT The people of Iraqi Kurdistan have proved their resilience in the face of

extreme challenges since 2014. 2017 will | Thursday • July 27 • 2017 be no less difficult, and Kurdistan needs its American friends now, more than ever. The KRG cannot continue to do this alone.

Robert A. Destro and Carole A. O’Leary are the co-directors of the Iraqi Kurdistan Religious Freedom Project, a joint initia- tive of Michael Moran & Associates and the Interdisciplinary Program in Law & Photo Credit:​ ​Kurdistan Iraq Tours LLC/Tour Guide. Religion of the Columbus School of Law Yezidi girls. ​ at The Catholic University of America. 29 ‘We must seek the most promising scenario’

church is strewn with rubble, riddled with bullet holes, and graffitied and des- ecrated beyond my description here. We were told by Peshmerga leaders that 48 troops lost their lives and over 100 more were wounded in retaking this once- lovely town. While here in the West, I heard many comments about the Peshmerga not allowing people to go home. That is a fact in some cases. Teleskof is now free for the people to return home. On the other hand, Batnaya is a different situa- tion. First, many of the homes present a danger, as they are structurally unstable. But in addition, there are hidden bombs and various traps left behind by ISIS. It By Medlum Merogi is for the people’s own protection that the Peshmerga have asked them not to hen Kurdistan return as yet. Yet another problem is ISIS is discussed as soldiers trying to pass themselves off a haven for the as “typical” population by shaving their Christians and all beards, etc., in order to escape. Many minorities in Iraq, people have been detained until the mili- one must first rec- tary is sure that they are not the enemy. ognize that they We also visited a clinic with Arch- are currently a Region of Iraq. bishop Bashar Warda and visited WOn Sept. 25, the people in this region Archbishop Yohanno Petros Moshe. will vote on independence. That alone The clinic was founded by those with brings problems, as they have sought Christian faith, yet it opens its doors to their independence for many years now everyone — and has already treated over for many reasons: Monies from the Iraqi 2,700 chronic cases among the seniors’ TMENT

AR government are not received as ex- population without prejudice. pected, and shipments of goods through While in Erbil, Kurdistan, we also

Y D EP Iraqi airports are either very slow or witnessed people freely and without C

A do not arrive at all. This, of course, concern attending their individual presents problems for the paying of places of worship. Kurdistan seems VOC Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to be the only area of Iraq where such workers and Peshmerga forces. I was Photo courtesy of Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq freedom exists. Life for Christians and recently informed that Peshmerga have Palm Sunday procession, Teleskov, Nineveh Plain, Northern Iraq, 2017. This was the first minorities has not been easy in Iraq. not received payment since May of this Palm Sunday celebrated in Teleskov since 2014 when the town was overrun by ISIS. The There is no perfection or utopia avail- year. The retirees have received no funds town was liberated in the fall of 2016. able anywhere on earth. We must seek from the Government of Iraq since No- the most promising scenario. With vember of 2016. The equipment needed Kurdistan, the people can stay in their INGTON TIME S AD ASH INGTON to defend Kurdistan is either beyond known areas and practice their faith and their means or does not ever arrive when raise their children without fear.

Y T H E W donated. Still, they stand and defend. Kurdistan has spoken openly of want- The point I make above is to show ing to join the economically developed that the further influx of displaced countries of the world rather than AR E D B persons, including the Christians of staying in the Third World scenario put Nineveh Plain, brings about further forward by the various governments sur-

T P R EP costs and responsibilities. Still, they took rounding them. That in itself is an enor- them in. They defended them and fought mous step forward for all the population. for their homes. Were there problems? We are requesting an Autonomous Undoubtedly. Kurdistan itself was not Region to be part of Kurdistan when it under attack, but the Plains needed to is independent. This must be voted on be protected from an outright genocide by the people of Nineveh Plain. The new AL R EPO A S PECI THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON

of all those not in the same religious Charter would include us if the vote is | mindset as ISIS. a positive one; I very much doubt that Only days ago, I was in Kurdistan on the terms of such an agreement would a tour of the Christian towns, villages, be denied by the people. It would make camps and medical facilities. In this lies the world at large a happier place for ev- the truth. With me were journalists from Image courtesy of Medlum Merogi. eryone involved. It is the safest and most Canada who wanted just that — the Medlum Merogi, the Canadian Representative for the Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular promising alternative for the Christians truth. Without hesitation, Mr. Noreldin Council, visited with children in a Christian camp in a recent visit to Kurdistan. and minorities of Iraq. Waisy of Kurdistan24 media company and Mr. Khalid Talia, the KRG Minister Medlum Merogi is the Canadian rep-

• 2017 27 • July Thursday of Christian Affairs, supplied us with ve- with the people and see for ourselves defenses is a town, now deserted of its resentative of the Chaldean Syriac hicles, hotel assistance and protection to what is happening. all-Christian population, called Batnaya. Assyrian Popular Council, which is 30 allow us to roam with free will to speak On the boarder of the Peshmerga It is a ghost town. The once-beautiful based in Duhok, Kurdistan in Iraq. What is next for refugees in Kurdistan?

By Awat Mustafa and of refugees and IDPs — which has put Mariette Hägglund an enormous economic pressure on the region — and also help the reconstruc- n recent years, as the war with tion of the destroyed areas. ISIS has raged, the relatively stable While some have argued that a Kurdistan region has been hailed simple solution to the question of as a “safe haven,” “beacon of de- refugee and IDP minorities would be mocracy” and “the other Iraq.” their exodus to safe countries elsewhere It has earned these labels in the world, this is, in fact, in nobody’s by welcoming almost 2 million interest: It would decrease and under- refugees and internally displaced persons mine the cultural, historical, symbolic I(IDPs) — many of whom are ethnic and and religious values of the Kurdistan religious minorities from Iraq’s provinces region. Also, a mass exodus would of Nineveh, Anbar and Saladin. Assyr- ignore the problem, and undermine the ians, Yazidis, Turkmen, Shabaks, Chris- minorities’ rights to return to — and tians and other minority groups were stay in — their ancient homelands and targeted by ISIS for their religious beliefs, preserve their cultures. We must ensure cultures or ethnicities, despite having recognized the genocide against ethnic provided for IDPs and refugees in the them a safe return — and a safe future lived in the region for thousands of years. and religious minorities by ISIS, set it as a Kurdistan region. upon return. ISIS inflicted unspeakable cruelties priority in the fight against ISIS, and laid What should happen next? Kurdistan Region President Masoud on these populations with murders, out even stronger support for what the The work of civil society and charity Barzani has already declared his sup- lootings and sexual slavery, as well as Kurdistan region is doing. Theirs is the organizations in the Kurdistan region port for this, saying that religious and destruction of their homes and their right approach toward the humanitarian has been crucial since the beginning of ethnic minorities have lived and pros- cultural and religious heritages. For situation in the Kurdistan region — which the ISIS attacks. Nonprofit agencies and pered together for thousands of years, example, the Yazidis, the biggest inter- deserves more international support. nongovernmental organizations, includ- and the people should instead fight to nally displaced group in Kurdistan, suf- The Kurdistan region has provided ing the Barzani Charity Foundation, bring safety and security back to our fered heavily from ISIS atrocities, with safety and security for religious and have worked selflessly with the people community. Going forward, violent extremism and cycles of oppression have been

issues in the past and will continuously A S PECI AL R EPO be unless radical changes are taken. To tackle them will require political will, leadership, sufficient finance, eradica- tion of poverty and corruption, and also good governance and trust. The Kurdistan region is committed T P R EP to remaining a sanctuary for persecuted

minorities and refugees. In the last AR E D B decade, Kurdistan leaders made several changes that take the various religious and ethnic minority groups into consid- Y T H E W eration. For example, the Ministry of Is-

lamic Affairs is now the Ministry of En- INGTONASH TIME S AD dowment and Religious Affairs. It gives the right to all religious groups to have their own directors and manage their own religious affairs. Kurdish law gives equal rights to all ethnic groups to take senior positions in the government. It also takes steps to guarantee a voice for THE WASHINGTON TIMES VOC everyone in the government decision- A

making. Thus, in practice, Kurdistan has C already worked hard to transform the Y D EP judicial and administrative system, and to guarantee the traditionally Muslim- AR TMENT dominated senior positions are also open to religious and ethnic minorities,

such as Yazidis and Christians. | ​Photo Credit:​ ​Kurdistan Iraq Tours LLC/Tour​ ​Guide Thursday • July 27 • 2017 U.N.Refugee tents in Kurdistan. Awat Mustafa is Director of Operations and Public Relations at the Barzani Char- ity Foundation (info@barzanifoundation. 450,000 displaced people in 16 camps in ethnic minorities and guaranteed them and the U.N. Refugee Agency, and their org), which provides education, health Kurdistan. The U.N. estimates that 3,200 freedom for practicing their religious efforts will continue. care, food, shelter and other services to Yazidi women, girls and children are beliefs, even though the Kurdistan re- Moreover, the tasks of reconstruct- Kurdistan populations, including orphans, still held captive by ISIS, and the Yazidi gion is going through financial difficul- ing Christian and Yazidi towns and refugees and IDPs. He can be reached at community, the Kurdistan Regional ties and its austerity measures have lim- villages must begin very soon, but this [email protected]. Mariette Hägglund, re- Government (KRG) and others are ited the services for host communities. cannot be done by the KRG alone. The cently a Visiting Scholar at the Center for working to rescue these abductees. Despite this, medical help and shelter, international community must assist Transatlantic Relations at Johns Hopkins In March 2016, the U.S. Congress as well as other needs, are continuously the KRG to deal with the massive influx University, contributed to this article. 31 Independence will open doors to investment in Kurdistan

some 3 million tourists visited Kurdis- tan, and in the following year, Erbil was named the Middle East’s “2014 Arab Tourism Capital.” With the war against ISIS and 1.8 mil- lion displaced Syrians and Iraqis shelter- ing in Kurdistan, tourism in recent years has taken a hit. However, we are already seeing a resurgence — our statistics show 1.6 million tourists had already vis- ited Kurdistan by May 2017. They come to visit Kurdistan’s Jewish, Christian and Islamic religious sites; hike in snow- capped mountains; and explore bazaars in cities throughout the region. Despite sharing a border with ISIS for nearly three years, Kurdistan remains stable By Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman and secure for Western visitors. It is difficult to be optimistic about a he liberation of Iraq in 2003 Middle East that has been ravaged by war brought with it economic for more than a decade. Still, the future of opportunities that the Kurdistan’s economy is bright. Our popu- people of Iraq had never be- lation is more educated than ever before, fore imagined. In Kurdistan, with nearly 40 universities and technical we seized upon this chance institutes, including two American-style to grow our society in the universities and one that follows the Brit- ways we had long dreamed — in the first ish system. The Human Capacity Devel- T10 years annual per capita GDP grew opment Program, a $100 million program from around $500 to $7,000. Although the providing scholarships to Kurdistani TMENT

AR past few years have tested our resiliency, students at leading universities around Kurdistan remains a safe investment en- the world, has helped hundreds return to

Y D EP vironment focused on diversification and Kurdistan with graduate degrees. C

A reforming for better governance. In the past two years, the KRG has In 2006, Kurdistan’s Parliament taken major steps to increase transpar- VOC passed the Investment Law, setting out ency in government, reduce waste and highly favorable conditions and protec- reform the economy. This includes a full tions for international investors. Already audit of the oil industry by Deloitte and many international companies had made Ernst and Young, the implementation of substantial investments in Kurdistan, a biometric registration system aimed and we recognized the steady flow at eliminating “ghost employees” in the of capital as essential to growing our government, the introduction of auster- INGTON TIME S AD ASH INGTON infrastructure and giving to our people ity measures to decrease government the society that they deserve. A decade spending, and the reforming of the Fi-

Y T H E W later, around 3,000 foreign companies — nance Ministry with the help of regional Turkish, Iranian, Emirati, European and illustration by greg groeschg and international financial experts. American — are registered and operat- On Sept. 25, there will be a referen- AR E D B ing in Kurdistan. dum on independence to determine the Our achievements in building Kurd- Our achievements in building Kurdistan’s economy will of the people to move toward full

T P R EP istan’s economy have been significant. have been significant. After years of neglect under sovereignty. Our desire to be indepen- After years of neglect under Ba’athist Ba’athist rule and with the help of international dent is deeply emotional — we have for rule and with the help of international generations struggled toward this dream. energy companies, we grew an oil and energy companies, we grew an oil and gas industry But independence is also a pragmatic so- gas industry from scratch, and today from scratch, and today dozens of these companies lution to problems that have beleaguered dozens of these companies work to ex- work to extract Kurdistan’s natural resources. Iraq since its inception. As an indepen- AL R EPO A S PECI THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON

tract Kurdistan’s natural resources. The dent country, we will have access to | Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) international credit markets and control successfully negotiated revenue-sharing the Turkish port of Ceyhan. A parallel possible through public and private over monetary policy. In an indepen- agreements that have kept Kurdistan natural gas pipeline is currently being investments in research, irrigation and dent Kurdistan, we will better be able to afloat since former Prime Minister constructed. harvesting equipment, storage, and stabilize our economy in times of crisis. Nouri al-Maliki cut our share of the fed- Saddam Hussein’s campaigns of more. International and local companies I firmly believe that an independent eral budget in February 2014. Eight years genocide destroyed 4,500 villages and are steadily growing their operations to Kurdistan will be an even better place ago, Turkish troops were massed at our broke the backbone of agriculture in import seed, pesticides, herbicides and for international investors. border and threatened by our prosper- Kurdistan. Supported by international other inputs. ity. Through diplomatic engagement, investment, we are working to rebuild Kurdistan has long been a hub for Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman is the Kurdis-

• 2017 27 • July Thursday today we have a strategic energy-sharing and continue to increase production in regional tourism, particularly for Iraqis tan Regional Government Representative agreement and export 600,000 barrels a diversity of crops, including wheat, seeking a safe environment and respite to the United States. 32 of crude per day through a pipeline to barley and vegetables. This has been from the heat of southern Iraq. In 2013, Kurdistan Region: Untapped economic potential

six Kurds to work for the government, capital, the ability to repatriate profits in plateau export of 10 bcm annually by creating a monthly payroll obligation of full, and a 10-year non-custom tax break 2020, with the option of increasing ex- more than $700 million. after the beginning of production, among port capacity to 20 bcm per year. numerous other incentives. Baghdad’s efforts to undermine Kurd- Progressive investment laws istan’s direct oil exports are proving to be In the midst of it all, the KRG Abundant natural resources ineffective. Every barrel of oil exported launched a comprehensive set of reforms The Kurdistan Region has been by the KRG has found a buyer. Actions to to modernize its economy. divided in to seven blocks for explora- prevent the Kurdistan Region — which To bring transparency into its oil tion and investment on the bases of passed its own oil and gas law in 2007 sector, the KRG hired Deloitte to audit suitable target areas: Blocks 1 and 2 in — from selling its oil directly are of pure its oil production, exports and revenues. Duhok governorate; blocks 3 and 4 in political nature. Article 115 of the new In partnership with the World Bank, Erbil governorate, and blocks 5,6 and 7 in Iraqi constitution states that “all powers the KRG committed to reforms in the Sulaymania Governorate. not stipulated in the exclusive powers of electricity sector, with a goal to privatize Mineral exploration and develop- the federal government belong to the au- electric providers and reduce domestic ment are investments. They hold forth thorities of the regions and governorates production costs by 40 percent. It in- the promise of rewards for private that are not organized in a region. With By Dr. Sasha Toperich stalled meters for electricity usage both to companies, governments and local com- regard to other powers shared between stabilize the system and collect revenue, munities. In June 2016, the Ministry of the federal government and the regional have no doubt that the economy as many people were exploiting Kurdis- Natural Resources of the KRG invited government, priority shall be given to the of the Kurdistan Region will expe- tan’s electric grid, adding to a significant expressions of interest from qualified law of the regions and governorates not rience significant growth as early deficit in the electricity balance sheet. international mining companies for the organized in a region in case of dispute.” as next year. There are several In an effort to curb corruption and “Mineral Exploration & Investment in In an ever-complex and changing reasons why. enhance transparency, the KRG, again the Kurdistan Region-Iraq.” More than 10 Middle East, one thing is clear: nothing After ISIL overtook Mosul with the World Bank, introduced an elec- regional and international mineral com- will remain the same after Sept. 25, when in August 2014, the Peshmerga, tronic payment system to its employees, panies showed their interest to submit a the Kurds are expected to vote over- Kurdistan’s defense forces, showed im- accounting for about 65 percent of the proposal to invest in the mining sector in whelmingly in favor of independence Imense bravery in their fight, preventing labor force in the Kurdistan Region. The Kurdistan Region. for the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Although A S PECI AL R EPO the terrorists from taking Erbil and mov- ing deeper into Iraqi Kurdistan territory. The news was all the more devastating considering that the U.S. and its allies had previously trained and equipped hun- dreds of thousands of Iraqi soldiers and T P R EP policemen, who fled the 1,500 ISIL fight-

ers, handing over expensive U.S. weap- AR E D B onry, while the Peshmerga defended the Kurdistan Region with decades-old rifles. Before the emergence of ISIL, the Y T H E W Kurdistan region of Iraq experienced an

economic “golden period,” with invest- INGTONASH TIME S AD ments pouring in from all sides. Erbil, Suleimania and Dohuk looked to diver- sify their local economies, investing in the cement industry, tourism and the real estate industry. The Kurdistan Regional Government-Iraq (KRG) was referred to as the “next Dubai.” In 2011, FDI maga- Photo Credit:​ ​Kurdistan Iraq Tours LLC/Tour Guide THE WASHINGTON TIMES VOC zine ranked Erbil fifth in terms of oppor- A

tunities for direct foreign investment and process included the registering and is- Kurdistan’s oil is sold to markets in the time of the actual proclamation of C one of the most business-friendly cities suing of biometric cards for government Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Last Kurdistan independence is not set yet, Y D EP in the entire Middle East. employees, including the Peshmerga month, the KRG signed an agreement the referendum, in spite of internal politi- The ISIL attack on Kurdistan coin- forces. This task was completed recently, with Russian oil giant Rosneft to develop cal rifts, will strengthen KRG’s position, AR TMENT cided with a dramatic drop in oil prices, creating a fiscal order for about 1.4 mil- its exploitation and production. They and there is little doubt that investors forcing a rebalancing of budgets in lion employees while also eliminating agreed on the monetization of an export will take notice. The road to recovery has

most of oil revenue-driven economies, so-called “ghost employees” and those oil pipeline along with several produc- begun, and with the ongoing reforms, | Thursday • July 27 • 2017 including Kurdistan. To make matters that were registered (and paid for) twice. tion sharing agreements, as a result of there is a general feeling that Kurdistan worse, 1.8 million refugees, mostly from The KRG also began to reduce sala- Rosneft’s direct purchase of Kurdistan’s has turned the tide. Iraq and Syria, looked for a safe haven ries, remove subsidies on gasoline and crude oil for its refineries in Germany. in the Kurdistan Region. The Iraqi cen- eliminate various allowances that were In 2016, pipeline oil exports from the Sasha Toperich, Ph.D., is a Senior tral government’s payment of 17 percent draining the budget. KRG to Turkey reached 500,000 barrels Fellow and Director of the Mediter- of total revenues to the KRG, required The investment law that the KRG per day, while truck exports of heavier ranean Basin initiative at the Center by the Iraqi constitution, had not been launched in 2006 was one of the most crude oil to Turkey currently average for Transatlantic Relations, SAIS, at honored by Baghdad due to internal po- progressive laws of its kind in the entire around 38,000 barrels per day. Kurdistan the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced litical rifts. Moreover, the KRG strug- Middle East. The law treats foreign and has proven natural gas reserves of 703 International Studies at Johns Hopkins gled to meet its monthly obligations, local investors equally, allowing them to bcm and an estimated 5.6 tcm of un- University in Washington, D.C. He is which exceeded $1 billion. During the buy and own land for investment pur- proven reserves. The KRG-Turkey Gas also a Fellow at the Soran University golden period, the KRG hired one out of poses, accommodating full ownership of Sales Agreement signed in 2013 foresees Research Center in Iraqi Kurdistan. 33 Confronting the current Middle East alignment

Democratic Forces (SDF). It is also While both Russia and the U.S. want to autonomous Kurdish entity, they are possible that elements of the Syrian avoid a direct confrontation, we need aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood/ Free Army (SFA) can be reconstituted. to make it very clear we will not be Hamas — and now also with Iran and The recent downing by a U.S. Navy intimidated. Qatar. At this point, Turkey must be F-18 fighter aircraft of a Syrian bomber Developing a strategy to address the viewed as a questionable Western ally. that had been attacking a pro-Western current regional realignment should Fundamental U.S. strategy must Kurdish force and an SDF unit high- be based on U.S. core vital strategic be based on preventing Iran from lighted Mr. Assad’s recognition of the interests. Further, the strategy should establishing a Shiite land bridge from importance of these forces in prevent- be based on the underlying principle Tehran to Lebanon. Therefore, a key ing reassertion of his control in eastern that it makes no sense for the United element of our strategy should be to Syria. Perhaps just as important was States to inject itself into a 1,300+-year support the binding independence Russian President Vladimir Putin old Shi’ite-Sunni sectarian war. It is referendum for Iraqi Kurdistan to be held on Sept. 25, 2017. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson officially opposes it because of a misguided objective to keep Iraq intact. But Iraq is already fractured, as is Syria, and neither one By Adm. James A. Lyons will be reconstituted in its pre-WWI artificial geographic boundaries. ith the imminent de- Clearly, the 1916 Sykes-Picot nation- feat of the Islamic state arrangement has collapsed. State in Mosul, Our strategy should also support Iraq and in Raqqa, Syrian Kurds carving out their own its declared capi- sphere of influence (Rojava), which tal in Syria, one of could eventually unite with Iraqi Kurd- the Trump admin- istan. Control of the vast Syrian Sunni istration’s key objectives is about to be interior that spans the border into Wachieved. the former Iraq remains unresolved. With the collapse of the Islamic Damascus cannot control a federalized State as a functioning entity, however, Syria, even with Iranian and Rus- there are clearly new dynamics com- sian support. Therefore, our strategic ing into play which will complicate plan must back Sunni forces that have TMENT

AR the post-Islamic State period. What is shown themselves to be both anti- actually taking place is a realignment of Damascus and non-jihadist. The only

Y D EP the regional balance of power between group that falls into that category is C

A Shiite and Sunni power brokers. How the Free Syrian Army, which will need it eventually evolves will have a major to be reinforced. U.S. policy should VOC impact on U.S. security interests, and concede that Damascus will hold the those of our allies, Israel in particular. Alawite heartland that includes the The problem is that we have no clear Russian bases at Latakia and Tartus. strategy to deal with the evolving dy- With the eight years the Obama namic situation or its long-term impact. administration squandered, plus the Clearly, an immediate problem is transfer of over $100 billion to Iran that Iran, backed by Russia, seeks to (which it is now using to finance Shiite INGTON TIME S AD ASH INGTON further expand its influence by solidi- militias fighting to secure a land bridge fying a land bridge from Iran through across the Iraq-Syria border), we must

Y T H E W Iraq and Syria to the eastern Medi- shift from a reactive defensive strategy terranean. Such a move would put a to a proactive one. jihadi Shiite regime on the southern Accordingly, the Trump team must AR E D B shores of the Mediterranean Sea. first define a national security strategy Iran’s domination of regimes in Bagh- for the region. Such a strategy must

T P R EP dad, Beirut and Damascus, along with be predicated on reconstitution of U.S. its play for Yemen, puts it in position military capability and demonstra- to surround the Arabian Peninsula tion of the will to project power and and threaten strategic waterways, influence, specifically by supporting including the Strait of Hormuz and Kurdish-FSA-SDF forces and, together the Bab al-Mandab. Backed by Iran illustration by Linas Garsys with our allies, Saudi Arabia, Egypt AL R EPO A S PECI THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON

and Russia, Bashar Assad’s control and the GCC, block further Iranian | of Aleppo and the anticipated fall of likely using Syrian resources to test actually what the current realignment expansionism. Elimination of Iran’s Raqqa will likely embolden him to the Trump administration to see if it is all about. nuclear infrastructure will also be an retake eastern Syria, too. would support our allies on the ground The al Qaeda/Muslim Brotherhood imperative at some point. Preventing expansion of the Shiite if attacked. Fortunately, we did, which militias rose up against Syria’s Bashar Bottom line: there is no substitute Crescent must be a top U.S. objective, sent a clear message to both Russia and Assad, who was then defended by for American leadership. fundamental to restoring not only Syria as well as our allies that there Iran, Hezbollah plus assorted Shiite credibility with our key allies, but criti- are lines that cannot be crossed. The militias and now Russia. Turkey is Retired U.S. Navy Adm. James A. Lyons cal to restoring stability to the region “strong horse” is back. also an increasing problem: President was commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific as well. Key to achieving this objective The Russian threat to target with Erdogan and his AK Party are jihadis Fleet and senior U.S. military representa-

• 2017 27 • July Thursday without a massive influx of U.S. ground surface-to-air missiles any U.S. aircraft trying to reestablish some form of the tive to the United Nations. This article forces is maintaining the viability flying west of the Euphrates is a fur- power and glory of the old Ottoman first appeared in The Washington Times 34 of pro-Western Kurdish and Syrian ther test of the Trump administration. Empire. Dead set against any sort of Commentary section on July 2, 2017. Negotiating an amicable split: It’s time for Kurdistan and Iraq to go their separate ways

the critical role of an honest broker. America can ensure that the negotia- tions are fair, productive and deliver the best possible outcome for both sides. A stable Iraq is in everyone’s best interest. An independent Kurdistan would share hundreds of miles of border with Iraq, and our economic ties are deep. Iraq would be one of Kurdistan’s most important trading partners, and no one outside of Iraq would have a greater incentive for peace and stability in the country. The challenges of achieving inde- pendence for any country are great but not insurmountable. Negotiating By Falah Mustafa Bakir an amicable divorce with Baghdad raqi security forces with the will be difficult, but there are no support of coalition forces are cardinal rules against it and many finally getting close to defeat- successful examples of peaceful ing ISIS in Iraq, which begs secessions. an important question: What For decades, Iraqis have seen comes next? More to the point, cycles of genocide. Under Saddam what governmental structure Hussein’s fascist state, Kurds, Shia would best protect the many ethnic and others suffered decades of terror, Igroups that live there? oppression and numerous attacks on A S PECI AL R EPO Part of the answer will be pro- civilians with the most deadly chemi- vided this year by a referendum cal weapons. scheduled for Sept. 25. The Kurdistan In Kurdistan in the 1980s, the state Region will ask its people if they sup- conducted a dedicated, sustained port Kurdistan’s independence. We campaign to break the back of our expect that the answer will be over- economy, destroy our way of life and, T P R EP AR E D B Iraqis, like the Kurds who have suffered

under regimes that failed to protect its Y T H E W citizens from persecution and, in some cases,

violence, should be given their say about INGTONASH TIME S AD what form of government provides them the best security. Self-governance is clearly the right answer.

whelmingly “yes.” President Masoud ultimately, exterminate our people. THE WASHINGTON TIMES Barzani has also made it clear that The Baathists called the campaign illustration by Linas Garsys VOC the referendum will include areas “Anfal,” a Koranic term for the “spoils A

that have long been disputed between of war.” C Baghdad and Irbil, giving people in The departure of Saddam did not Kurdistanis voted overwhelmingly and all that has passed since 2005. Y D EP those territories an opportunity to end of the suffering. Militias and in favor of the Iraqi constitution on Like the United States, we have decide their own future as well. criminal gangs kidnapped wealthy that basis. But over the past 12 years, invested blood, time, energy and trea- AR TMENT Iraqis, like the Kurds who have elites, assassinated academics, and leaders in Baghdad have centralized sure to make Iraq work. Now it’s time suffered under regimes that failed to ethnically cleansed areas with impu- power. Our initiatives to develop our for Iraq and Kurdistan to be good

protect its citizens from persecution nity. In 2014 the Yazidis, Christians region, particularly in growing an oil neighbors with good fences rather | Thursday • July 27 • 2017 and, in some cases, violence, should and others again suffered genocide, and gas industry from scratch, were than be under one roof and a thorn in be given their say about what form of this time at the hands of ISIS. Our treated as liabilities rather than as- each other’s side. The United States government provides them the best economy has suffered both from the sets. Despite our worries about the can play a pivotal role in that effort. security. Self-governance is clearly war against ISIS and the humanitar- direction of the country, our friends the right answer. ian crisis, but also from Baghdad in America and the West encouraged • Falah Mustafa Bakir is the head To be sure, the referendum won’t cutting off our share of the federal us to remain part of the country and of the Department of Foreign Rela- be the end of the story. Other actions budget. participate in government, which we tions of the Kurdistan Regional Gov- would need to be taken before Iraqi When Iraq’s constitution was did. ernment.​ ​This op-ed first appeared Kurdistan can declare sovereignty. drafted in 2005, we in Kurdistan But now it is time for the people of in The Washington Times’ Com- Negotiations are required between envisioned a federal system that Kurdistan to determine their future, mentary section on July 12, 2017. Baghdad and the Kurdistan. In those could have led Iraq to realize its knowing all that has happened in the talks, the United States will play potential for prosperity for all Iraqis. past century since Iraq was created 35 TMENT AR Y D EP C A VOC INGTON TIME S AD ASH INGTON Y T H E W AR E D B T P R EP AL R EPO A S PECI THE WASHINGTON TIMES THE WASHINGTON

| • 2017 27 • July Thursday 36