First Published: July 2014
Re-emergence of a Traditional Regional Power: Independent
Kurdistan Crescent is on the Horizon
Introduction
The convolution of the Kurdish national political dilemma
with the division of Kurdistan amongst Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Armenia and
Azerbaijan had convinced many a reunited independent Kurdistan to be an epic
dream. This pessimism was running high during the Cold War era. The States
sharing major parts of Kurdish land were divided along the bipolar structure
with each receiving sufficient military, political and economic support from
their respective polar super powers to crush any Kurdish struggle infused to
change the status quo of Kurdistan.
The collapse of the bipolar structure varied the political
equation fundamentally. Kurdistan is placed with a unique status in the new
world order. The prospect of an independent Kurdistan Crescent in light of the
current changing political dynamic in the Middle East is becoming an imminent
reality.
This presentation will look at the unfavourable political,
economic and security circumstances that resulted in maintaining the status quo
of a divided Kurdistan throughout the Cold War era. The presentation will then
look at the political, economic and security changes underway in the post-cold
war Middle East and highlight how these changes facilitate the rise of Kurdish
political power in the region. For this purpose, the presentation will
specifically look at each part of Kurdistan and highlight how an emerging
independent Kurdistan Crescent stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the
Persian Gulf could contribute to peace and stability in the region.
