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The regional bully
6.8.2011
By Hiwa Osman - ekurd.net |
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August 6, 2011
As Iran continues to shell Iraqi Kurdistan’s border
villages day after day, the public as well as
observers of the border situation and Iran’s
politics are becoming increasingly convinced that
the strikes have nothing to do with Iran being
attacked by armed groups in Iraq. Instead, it has
everything to do with Iran testing its limits with
the Kurds, Iraq and the USA.
What’s interesting to note is that all three are
simply watching the situation; each is hoping not to
be confronted with the task of dealing with the
problem. But in reality, all three are being
humiliated and dared by Iran to react.
The reality is that all three need to respond to
each in their own way. The lack of response is
making the Kurds, Iraq and the USA weaker and less
relevant to the politics of a new Middle East.
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Hiwa Osman, IWPR Iraq’s country director, previously
served as Iraqi president Jalal Talabani’s media
adviser. |
The muted or feeble Kurdish response, and lack of
unity over how to address the attacks, are
undermining the Kurdish authorities and making it
easier for Iran to advance more deeply into their
region. This is occurring despite the efforts of the
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to keep Iran’s
opposition at bay and stop them from launching
attacks against Iran – a stance that severely
damaged the KRG’s reputation among Kurds in other
parts of Kurdistan.
Observers also believe that Iran is sending a
message to the Iraqi Kurds regarding their close
relationship with the USA.
The attacks are also warning Turkey not to support
Syria’s opposition in the current uprising, which,
if it succeeds, would be more detrimental to Iran
than any other country in the region. Iran is
desperately seeking a strong alternate foothold in
the region to face emerging threats from the new
“Sunni” regime in Syria and the Arab world. The best
place for Iran is Baghdad, whose clout over Iran
these days is next to zero.
Baghdad has conveniently shifted the Iran shelling
issue to the Kurdish foreign minister. Keeping the
problem in Kurdish hands contradicts the position
that Iraqi Kurds are part of the country.
Perhaps that position is conditional, depending on
the situation.
When it comes to oil contracts or revenue, the Kurds
are part of Iraq. Yet when it comes to shelling by
Iran and Turkey, the Kurds become autonomous. The
central government’s silence does nothing but
undermine Baghdad and the Kurds, and will be
especially damaging when US forces withdraw from the
country.
The US is also being tested and undermined.
Washington cannot afford to continue claiming that
they are protecting Iraq while watching as their
arch-rival in the region bombs its borders. Iran is
sending a clear message that the US is not in charge
and that Teheran calls the shots on the border, not
the US.
Another interesting name is emerging from eyewitness
testimonies and statements by some local officials.
That name is Ansar al-Islam, or the Kurdish version
of Al-Qaeda. It now appears that if PJAK leaves the
border areas,www.ekurd.netthe
vacuum will almost immediately be filled by
Iranian-based Ansar al-Islam.
The longer the Iranian shelling continues, the more
powerful this extremist group becomes. And the
longer the Kurds, the Iraqis and the American refuse
to act, the less relevant they will become in the
new Middle East — especially in light of the US
withdrawal and the emergence of new regimes.
Hiwa Osman is IWPR’s country director in Iraq, previously
served as Iraqi president Jalal Talabani’s media
adviser, a regular contributing writer for ekurd.net. You
may visit Osman's website at www.hiwaosman.com
Copyright © 2011 ekurd.net
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