Analysis & Opinions - Foreign Affairs

For Iraqi Kurds, Trump Brings Hope for Independence

| Apr. 12, 2017

Why the New Administration Inspires Optimism

On April 2, two of the main political parties in Iraqi Kurdistan—the Kurdistan Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan—issued a joint statement announcing their commitment to hold a referendum on Kurdish independence. The two parties are often at odds with one another, but it appears that with the battle for Mosul entering its bitter end, and after nearly three years of continuous war against the Islamic State (also known as ISIS), Iraqi Kurds believe that the time is right to cash in their hard-won political chips.

Kurdistan's leaders know that independence will not come easy....

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For more information on this publication: Belfer Communications Office
For Academic Citation: Kaplan, Morgan.“For Iraqi Kurds, Trump Brings Hope for Independence.” Foreign Affairs, April 12, 2017.

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