Escalating Ethnic Tension in Iraq: The Next Battlefront?
| Date | Friday, October 9, 2009 |
| Location | Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 562 |
October 9, 2009 — Joost Hiltermann, Deputy Program Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the International Crisis Group, joined us for a discussion on the implications of Arab-Kurdish tension in Iraq, a topic examined in the new Crisis Group report, "Iraq's New Battlefront: The Struggle over Ninewa." Mr. Hiltermann recently returned from the region and spoke on the increased tension between Arabs and Kurds in light of the imminent withdrawal of American combat troops. He highlighted the unresolved status of the disputed territories, the need for an expansion of joint patrols to secure the highly contentious areas, and the political and security dilemmas hindering a solution.
The discussion thoroughly examined the political implications surrounding the disputed territories, especially regarding Kirkuk. The issue of Kirkuk has become a focal point of controversy in Iraqi politics, and with elections approaching in January followed by the forming of a new, Iraqi government, agreeing on a solution for Kirkuk will be the most difficult challenge in formulating a coalition. Security guarantees and compromises will be crucial in establishing an Iraqi government and quelling potential civil war between Arabs and Kurds. Ideas for successful negotiations and continued stability included: creating an incentives package that meets the basic needs of Kurdish leaders, including Turkey in negotiations, and improving the effectiveness and resources for joint patrol to protect the populations. As the United States moves closer to pulling out its brigades in March, the need to defuse tensions between Arabs and Kurds and start negotiations on the disputed territories remains a vital issue in sustaining a stable Iraq.
Security for a New Century is a bipartisan study group for Congress. We meet regularly with U.S. and international policy professionals to discuss the post-Cold War and post-9/11 security environment. All discussions are off-the-record. It is not an advocacy venue. For more information, please call Mark Yarnell at (202) 224-7560 or write to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).