Question

How is representation organized in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, what activities are undertaken and what are the results.

Economic diplomacy

Answer 1

the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has become a “semi-independent state” after 2003, in the framework of a legal federal institutional system established by the permanent Iraqi constitution in 2005. Federal states do not usually favor that regions have a wide independent foreign policy, so that the exclusive powers in developing and forming the foreign policymaking remain in the hands of the central or federal government.

In fact, there is no dividing line between the two realities. The dream of forming an independent Kurdish state of the Kurds is a historic dream supported by several considerations, the most important of which are the high nationalism, the high pride of the Kurdish identity and culture and its distinctiveness from others. Therefore, the national dimension was the catalyst for the growth of Kurdistan Region’s paradiplomacy after 2003, which mainly flourished by the internal structural variables in Iraq after 2003.

Iraqi Kurds played an important role in the Iraq War. Kurdish parties joined forces against the Iraqi government during the war in Spring 2003. Kurdish military forces, known as Peshmerga, played an important role in the overthrow of the Iraqi government;^[63] however, Kurds have been reluctant to send troops into Baghdad since then, preferring not to be dragged into the sectarian struggle that so dominates much of Iraq.^[64]

A new constitution of Iraq was established in 2005, defining Iraq as a federalist state consisting of Regions and Governorates. It recognized both the Kurdistan Region and all laws passed by the KRG since 1992. There is provision for Governorates to create, join or leave Regions. However, as of late 2015, no new Regions have been formed, and the KRG remains the only regional government within Iraq.

PUK leader Jalal Talabani was elected President of the new Iraqi administration, while KDP leader Masoud Barzani became President of the Kurdistan Regional Government.

Since the downfall of the regime of Saddam Hussein, the relations between the KRG and Turkey have been in flux. Tensions marked a high stage in late February 2008 when Turkey unilaterally took military action against the PKK which at times uses the northern Iraq region as a base for militant activities against Turkey. The incursion, which lasted eight days, could have drawn the armed forces of Kurdistan into a broader regional war. However, relations have been improved since then, and Turkey now has the largest share of foreign investment in Kurdistan.

the 2018 elections in both of Iraq and KRG created new chances to bring the governments closer. The last Iraqi government, which would be replaced soon by cabinet of new designated P.M’s, KRG have come together to calm the situation since last year.

Yet we know that only a strong Kurdistan through the will of the people will truly secure Kurdistan’s rights, granted to KRG under the Iraqi federal Constitution and must be respected. Peace and security for Kurdistan will help improve stability and security for Iraq, and in the bigger scope for the region, hoped to be continued in the long run, especially by the future federal government of Iraq and parliament.