The Kurds’ Struggles for Independence: From Kirkuk to Rojava

Abstract

From Kirkuk to Rojava, the Kurds’ aspirations for independence have been thwarted by contradictory elements within the Kurdish leadership as well as unsustainable prospects of separation and independence. The Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) has failed to move from autonomy to outright independence without Kirkuk – as the Iraqi government is highly unlikely to ever give up control of Kirkuk and its oilfields. Similarly, the Rojava project (Western Kurdistan) will likely fail to survive unless the PYD proves serious in improving its appeal to the Kurds. Both of these narratives have failed to live up to their promises of an inclusive democracy in order to gain internal political support from the broader Kurdish population. The prospects for an establishment of respectful relations between Rojava and Turkey on the one hand, and Rojava and the Assad regime on the other, look bleak and it is doubtful that the United States will sanction Turkey to protect the Kurdish Rojava from their NATO ally.