Kurds deserve better — how US can support an – Latest News
They’ve confirmed themselves to be one of America’s most dependable companions within the Middle East — however the Kurdish people nonetheless have no actual homeland of their own.
As Masrour Barzani, the prime minister of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government, visits Washington this week, these associates deserve better.
Other regional actors offer rhetorical friendship, however the Kurds reveal theirs by motion and sacrifice.
What’s more, they supply a crucial bulwark in opposition to Iranian affect in a area that has been completely penetrated by the Islamic Republic — together with in Iraq, which has grow to be an Iranian cat’s-paw.
Kurdish ambitions for larger autonomy aren’t solely righteous, they align with America’s own crucial pursuits. As secretary of state and CIA director in President Trump’s first time period, I witnessed their unwavering dedication to our shared goals firsthand.
Kurdish fighters have persistently battled America’s worst enemies — jihadist teams like ISIS, al Qaeda and others— sparing American blood and treasure.
Unlike many different companions within the area, the Kurds by no means engaged in anti-American terrorism, by no means value American lives and by no means wavered of their friendship.
Their loyalty has delivered distinctive returns on a modest investment, in comparison with the trillions spent in different Middle Eastern conflicts.
The Kurdish areas possess substantial natural assets, positioning them for financial self-sufficiency.
The KRG alone accommodates an estimated 45 billion barrels of oil — roughly a third of Iraq’s complete reserves — plus vital natural gasoline fields.
Kurdish territories additionally include worthwhile mineral deposits, largely untapped on account of political constraints.
The KRG has demonstrated efficient governance regardless of Baghdad’s restrictions, building a functioning financial system and attracting worldwide investment.
Given financial freedom, Kurdistan would quickly become a self-sufficient associate that strengthens America’s strategic place with out draining our assets.
In my diplomatic engagement all through the Middle East, I’ve seen what makes the Kurds distinctive: In a area dominated by authoritarianism and extremism, Kurdish-governed areas stand out as islands of relative tolerance and pluralism.
Kurdish communities have rejected the anti-American and antisemitic ideologies that poison a lot of the area.
And like Americans, they yearn for self-determination and consultant authorities; they’ve no want to grow to be a vassal state of an American adversary.
For too long, the United States has uncared for the strategic potential that will be unlocked by supporting Kurdistan — out of worry of regional repercussions and, in some circumstances, sheer inertia.
At this crucial juncture in America’s engagement within the Middle East, we must always incorporate the Kurds into our regional strategy.
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First, America should forcefully counter regional efforts to undermine Kurdish self-governance. When Iran’s Revolutionary Guards launch missiles at Kurdish websites, as they did final 12 months, Washington ought to reply with penalties.
No regional energy ought to have the ability to operate with impunity in opposition to our companions. To efficiently project American energy, the US should set up and implement pink traces that defend our allies from systematic abuse.
We should additionally keep Kurdish areas from being economically strangled as punishment for his or her autonomy. Baghdad has repeatedly withheld funds and blocked oil exports — ways inspired by Tehran to power Kurdish submission.
Washington ought to leverage its substantial affect with the Iraqi authorities to elevate export blocks. This will each enable the Kurds to thrive and increase the worldwide oil provide, strengthening power security.
America ought to respect the legitimacy of the 2017 Kurdish independence referendum, by which 93% of Iraqi Kurds selected independence.
Instead of honoring this democratic course of, Baghdad (with Iran’s backing) despatched tanks and militias to punish the Kurds and impose a blockade.
At that time, the United States selected to put Iraq’s synthetic stability over Kurdish aspirations — a mistake we must always now rectify.
Recognizing the referendum’s validity by supporting Kurdish autonomy means respecting the democratic will of a people who’ve earned the proper to find out their future.
Finally, the United States ought to work with the Kurds towards a peaceable, negotiated pathway to larger autonomy and independence.
This long-term goal have to be pursued by diplomatic channels to keep away from triggering new conflicts, nevertheless it’s a purpose price pursuing to advance American pursuits within the area.
America ought to encourage Baghdad and Erbil to determine a legal framework for larger Kurdish sovereignty that addresses each Kurdish aspirations and Iraqi issues.
Similarly, we must always interact Turkey — which accommodates its own giant Kurdish population — by emphasizing the strategic advantages of a more impartial Kurdistan and an finish to their perpetual insurgency.
In my years of service, I’ve realized that America is strongest after we stand firmly with those that share our values and persistently advance our pursuits.
Prime Minister Barzani ought to obtain a robust welcome within the United States as we discover methods to collectively advance peace and prosperity.
Mike Pompeo served as director of the Central Intelligence Agency, 2017-18, and secretary of state, 2018-21.
