(Institute for Contemporary Affairs-Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Lazar Berman - Iran has positioned itself as a reliable military backer of Iraqi Kurdish forces, filling a vacuum the West has left as a result of its tepid support. Iranian penetration of Kurdistan allows Tehran to render it less likely that its major adversaries, including Israel and the U.S., will gain a secure foothold in a region that has a 400-mile border with Iran. Expectations of Kurdistan becoming an ally of Israel, America, and Europe may be in danger if the West continues to prioritize Iraqi and Turkish interests over those of the Kurds. The writer taught at Salahuddin University in Iraqi Kurdistan in 2012-2013.
2016-01-25 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive