Does Democratic Underground favor an independent Kurdistan?

[another_liberal]

Secretary Kerry's separate stop in Irbil to visit the Kurdish President shows how important that region of northwest Iraq has suddenly become to American hegemony in the Middle East. Kurdistan is the only stable and largely reliable partner we have left in Iraq, but do we want them to stay "in Iraq," or should we support their declaration of independence, as a sovereign Kurdish nation? Most experts do agree independence is the ultimate Kurdish goal. They do have a thriving, oil-based economy. Their military is small but well-equipped and thought to be capable. If not now, when will the Kurds ever have a better chance to claim a homeland?

. . .

US officials believe that persuading the Kurds to stick with the government in Baghdad will help keep Iraq together. "If they decide to withdraw from the Baghdad political process, it will accelerate a lot of the negative trends," said a senior state department official.

Massoud Barzani, the Kurdish president, hardly provided a ringing endorsement for the Iraqi government, "We are facing a new reality and a new Iraq," said Barzani at the start of his meeting with Kerry. Earlier, he blamed prime minister Nouri al-Maliki's "wrong policies" for the violence and called for him to quit, saying it was "very difficult" to imagine Iraq staying together.

Kurdish troops have taken control of Kirkuk, which was abandoned by the Iraqi army after Isis forces seized Mosul at the beginning of a lightning campaign. The Kurds consider Kirkuk – just outside their autonomous zone – their historic capital; its capture makes it more tempting for the Kurds to go it alone rather than sticking with an unpopular and tottering regime.

The Kurdish region is home to several vast oilfields and has maintained stability, in stark contrast to the rest of Iraq. Senior Kurdish officials have said privately that they are no longer committed to Iraq and are biding their time for an opportunity to seek independence.

. . .

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/24/john-kerry-urges-kurdish-leaders-to-back-iraqi-government

4 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Time expired
	The U.S. should support Kurdistan's independence from Iraq.
	3 (75%)
	The U.S. should oppose Kurdistan's independence from Iraq.
	0 (0%)
	The U.S. should remain neutral on the question of Kurdistan's independence from Iraq.
	1 (25%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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