Geopolitics of Kirkuk and it’s Impact on the Future of Iraq
Özet
Iraq is a country that has been continuously generating headlines in the world media since its occupation by the United States in 2003. The country has been battered by internal conflict with both, ethnic and sectarian dimensions. One of the most disputed areas in Iraq is the northern province of Kirkuk. It has been a hotbed of political and nationalistic strife between Kurds, Arabs and Turkmens since 2003, the time when the power balance in the governorate shifted on the side of the Kurds to the detriment of the others. This, among many other problems, is one of the main reasons for instability in the country and region as well. As long as the Kurdish authorities advantage of petroleum revenues unilaterally, the conflict may prolong and even have the potential to inflame the whole region by involving major regional powers like Turkey and Iran because of its threat to the their territorial integrity. The only feasible solution to avoid such a dangerous conflict is for Kurds and Iraqi Government to stay loyal to the unity of Iraq and behave in accordance with the Iraqi Constitution. This thesis will narrate and analyze the history of the disputes in the country with a focus on Kirkuk, their reasons, major players, their future implications, and propose recommendations to resolve the conflict and make Iraq a stable and functioning country for the benefit of Iraqis and the region.
