January, 2002

The Second Gulf War and National Integration in Iraq: Kurds (a case study)

One of the most important problems that threatens the integrity and unity of any state is that of minorities as it is closely related to issues of national integration and hence territorial security. The author of this book tackles, in five chapters, the problem of the Kurds in Iraq and its influence on security, independence and national integration in Iraq.

The first chapter is a theoretical study of minorities and national integration, giving a definition for each, and concluding that the problem of national integration applies to developed as well as developing countries and that national, lingual or religious pluralism is not necessarily considered an impediment to integration.

The second chapter addresses the characteristics of ethnic pluralism in Iraq and the impact of the Gulf War on Iraqi national integration.

The third chapter traces regional and international intervention in the Kurdish problem in the north of Iraq, including US intervention for the sake of protecting its oil interests, Western intervention with the exception of France, and Russian and Turkish intervention.

The fourth chapter looks at the influence of the Kurdish problem on all dimensions of Arab national integration.

The fifth chapter clarifies the strategy set by Iraq to confront the crisis of national integration based on the legitimate right of a state to defend self-determination and the application of democracy.