NationStates Jolt Archive

I'll openly admit that my knowledge of Middle Eastern politics and history is a bit limited (hence why I haven't gotten involved in any discussion on Iraq).

However it seems to me that Iraq is made up of ethnically distinct groups, with many areas only having ones particular group (or an over whelming majority of one group). Would it not be better to break the country up into seperate states? Or am I being naive of the internal politics of the region (if I am please tell me how)?

Well the Kurds will be voting on a referendum on secession. If that vote carries who knows what will happen? The Turks won't be happy about a Kurdish state on their border.

Well the Kurds will be voting on a referendum on secession. If that vote carries who knows what will happen? The Turks won't be happy about a Kurdish state on their border.
Isn't it something to do with Turkey having a large Kurdish minority who might start lobbying to join a Kurdih state?

Not only that.. But the ethnics have been fighting since don't know when.

Even Saddam launched his chemical weapons against the ethnic tribes that killed thousands.

IMO, there might be a splitting up soon. Too much bloodshed & Racism during Saddam's reign.

Not only that.. But the ethnics have been fighting since don't know when.

Even Saddam launched his chemical weapons against the ethnic tribes that killed thousands.

IMO, there might be a splitting up soon. Too much bloodshed & Racism during Saddam's reign.

I just can't stand that "ethnic tribes" phrase, it's a pet peeve. Consider: In the British Isles, people are killed in sectarian violence. In USA, the "ethnic tribe" of "Latinos" are waging a constant "peacetime war" (over drugs) against the "ethnic tribe" of "Whites". And so on. I wonder how many English-speakers actually know what "ethnic" means.

The point is valid, however. The "Iraqi nation" is something made up by colonists. They should have some sort of a federal system if anything. On the other hand, I've grown up in a place with two ethnicities. Moreover, I was in a national majority but in a minority in the city. So, I can say that a common government can work.

Isn't it something to do with Turkey having a large Kurdish minority who might start lobbying to join a Kurdih state?
Yeah, I think so.

Isn't it something to do with Turkey having a large Kurdish minority who might start lobbying to join a Kurdih state?

yeah. turkey hasn't exactly been too keen on not committing large scale attrocities against its kurdish minority whenever they don't go along with the forced integration thing.

I wonder how many English-speakers actually know what "ethnic" means.

walmart has a section in the hair care products aisle labeled "ethnic". it would be funny if it wasn't so mind-bogglingly stupid and slightly racist - cause, you know, only brown skinned people have ethnicity.

The point is valid, however. The "Iraqi nation" is something made up by colonists. They should have some sort of a federal system if anything. On the other hand, I've grown up in a place with two ethnicities. Moreover, I was in a national majority but in a minority in the city. So, I can say that a common government can work.
You are correct. The Iraq borders were drawn up by the British after they took control of the region after WW1. It's artificial. I think the government of Iraq should be more locally controlled.

Make Iraq a confederacy. Most of the power on the regional levels, except oil. There should be strictly enforced guarantees for every minority in every region.

No independent Kurdistan, yet extensive self-control on the regional level.

I think that is the best that could be done for now. Iraq's neighbours wouldn't be to keen on an independent Kurdistan, although I would like to see it happen.

The point is valid, however. The "Iraqi nation" is something made up by colonists. They should have some sort of a federal system if anything.

On the other hand, I've grown up in a place with two ethnicities. Moreover, I was in a national majority but in a minority in the city. So, I can say that a common government can work.

Common government to work? Well, that really have to depend on the leaders and the willingness to want peace. To forgive their neighbours though they've brutally murdered hundreds and thousands of your own people.

*Which I don't see it happening, not for a long long time of peace and a very good racial intergration program*

Probably would take a while, or eventually they would just have to seperate.