support Iraqi Kurdistan

Don’t Forget ‘The Other Iraq:’ Why the US and UK should do more to support Iraqi Kurdistan



1. Iraqi Kurdistan is the unheralded success of Iraq, and stands as a beacon of Iraq’s democratic potential.



2. Although it has made tremendous strides towards democratization and economic growth, Iraqi Kurdistan remains a transitional society in need of logistical and financial assistance from Coalition allies.



3. Britain and the US should not treat Iraqi Kurdistan as the ‘victim of its own success,’ but should instead see the region as an integral part of a successful federal state and a potential model for political and economic progress elsewhere in Iraq Investment conjoined with transparent governance are the critical components of a successful Iraqi state.



4. The US and UK should learn from their mistakes and eschew short-term fixes in favour of a long-term strategy of governmental cooperation, assistance and the promotion of Kurdistan’s untapped investment opportunities.

People talk about the Iraq War as a mistake, but Iraq has had a bloody history from Day One,’ Ms. Rahman explains. ‘Coup after coup, revolution after revolution, violence against its own people and violence against its neighbours—this is our history. The difference is that with the liberation of Iraq, even with the mistakes that followed the liberation, we have an opportunity to build a democracy...and for all our difficulties, Kurdistan is progressing towards that.’