This week, it is generally expected that Iraq’s parliament will elect a new president. The post traditionally (since the US invasion and occupation) goes to a Kurd, but the Kurdish Democrats (KDP), the largest Kurdish party, are facing competition for the spot.
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) is competing hard for the presidency, while the KDP is trying to ally with cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, with an eye toward cutting a deal.
Under the deal, PUK would get the presidency they want, and the KDP would get the governor of Kirkuk. Since the ISIS war the Kurds have sought to reestablish control over the oil-rich Kirkuk, and while the governorship wouldn’t formally move the province into the Kurdistan region, it would give them some control.
The KDP views Kirkuk as a key to protecting the Kurdish capital of Irbil, and even without economic control, the governorship would present opportunities for security cooperation in the area.
This needs a great deal of explsining,
PUK, a branch of Turkish PKK, US supported is to get into government?
Turkey bombs them periodically with no cimplaunt from Iraq.
When US went into Iraq it was to help a minority from Sinjar that was attacked by ISIS. US asked Kurds to take the task on, with US air support. Both KDP and PUK participated. But when ISIS was routed, US told KDP not to enter town, only – PUK!
US did the same in Kurkuk which is not a Kurdish majority populated, US just gifted them to PUK.
That angered Barzani, and once US courted Peshmerga were — dumped. Barzani visited Erdogan askingvhim to reign in cross border infiltration – it was at the dame time Turkish PKK ran Syrian outfit YPG.
Results were:
Turkey pressured Trump into pullung out of Syria, save north of Hassakah and Al-Tanf close to Jordan border,
Turkey and Russia are patrolling most of the border north of Jarabulus. YPG got a deal from Damascus and is not factor any more.
After YPG refused to let Syrian army control Afrin-Turkey border, Turkey invaded, ousted YPG, and sealed its border preventing PKK from smughling arms to Idlib.
Barzani KDP declared REFERENDUM on Kurdish independence, against US strong objections, wonder why?!
Naturally, referendum won, Iraqi forces moved in to defeat any affempt at secession.
What haplened is US worst setback — Iraq attacked Kurkuk and Sinjar where PUK was, and defeated them militarily, Barzani KDP did not move a finger to help. Also, Barzani gave Iraq access to all borders previously controled by Kurds , as well transfered the control of all airports to Iraq.
There is a big question — what gives PUK the political weight, as they are not a big party, and are dominated by Turkush PKK? And have been BLATANTLY favored by US?
Why would Iraq even contemplate giving PUK
back into Kurkuk?
Other than US playing with fire — and pushing Iraq into giving them some power.
There is a strange delusion in Washingtom that Turkey can be manipulated. Having agreed to talk to Israel about transit of Isreal gas to Europe — does it look to someoone that it us from the position of weakness?
Either someone in Washingtom does not know the basics of Turkush economy, or believe own propaganda.
Now that US has ditched its ally Greece and “unsupported” Israel-Greece gas pipeline — it actually believes in Turkey not asking for some some major concessions from Israel to get connected to Turkish network, as it already transfers Russian gas, as well as Azerbaijani — Israel will have to offer amazing price to be competitive.
ESPECIALLY as Turkey is talking about connecting to Iraq gas and with it will DEFINITELLY come gas from a massive shared Qatar-Iranian field.
Bottom line — Turkey CAN reduce interest rates AND have inflation. Why? Its exports to Europe are booming — as Turkey massively imports Chinese semi- finished products, and exports finished products. Trade with Russia booming. Never stopped trade with Iran.
After Azeri-Armenian war that ended with Russia-Turkish dea, the region can integrate. Turkey and Armenia are talking, and major infrastructure will benefit formerly isolated Armenia, and will open transport rotes to Central Asia,
Whatevet role PUK may get in the end — it is not on the strength of PUK popularity. We shall see.
So much nonsense.
Educated kurds worldwide reject this corrupt families who run KDP and PUK. They are puppets of Turkey and Iran and only interested in making their tribe rich.