Kurdish Identity: Then, Now, Future

Abstract

This article analyses Kurdish identity then, now, and in the future with emphasis on the Iraqi Kurds (KRG). The KRG currently has many of the trappings of an independent state: its own president, prime minister and parliament; its own flag and national anthem; its own army that has the right to prevent the federal Iraqi army from entering the Kurdish region; its own international airports and educational system in which Kurdish is the principal language of instruction; and even its own stamp entered into the passports of visitors. This article also analyses the new Trump 2.0 administration’s approach to the Kurds. It also asks why not several different Kurdish states? After all, there are some 22 Arab states and 6 Turkic states. So, if Kurdish unity is so difficult to achieve, why not at least 2 different Kurdish states, the KRG and Rojava? However, the Iraqi Kurds should not be discouraged at the lack of full U.S. support. After all, look at Europe. Under Trump, the United States almost seems hesitant even to guarantee Europe’s independence from Putin’s Russia. This means if the KRG still seeks eventual independence, it must be patient and play the waiting game. Furthermore, despite initial optimism, the current PKK peace process initiative with Turkey seems unlikely to be successful because it appears more like a PKK surrender than a guarantee of Kurdish constitutional rights in return for disarming and disbanding the PKK. In conclusion, the Kurds, especially in Iraq, have made enormous progress in recent years towards constitutional guaranteed economic, social, and even political rights as Kurds. However, much remains to be accomplished, elusive Kurdish coordination and unity being of utmost importance.