Change in Iraqi Politics: From Ethnic-Sectarian Lines to Centralization Question
Serhat ERKMEN*
Abstract After the invasion of Iraq, politics in Iraq was rebuilt in accordance with ethnic and religious lines and the political alliances have been reshaped over these lines. However, the withdrawal of US troops and internal dif- ferences of Iraqi parties triggered new political balances which cannot be limited into only ethnic and sectarian bases. Today, because of the political and strategic effects of Arab Spring and internal power strug- gles among the main Iraqi political groupings Iraq has entered in a new phase in politics which centralization issue will be the focus.
Keywords: Iraqi politics, centralization, Arab Spring and Iraq, With- drawal of US troops