Fluid State-Building in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: Taking Advantage of the 2003 U.S.-Led Invasion

Abstract

Since the U.S. led invasions of Iraq in 2003, outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the federal Government of Iraq (GoI) have gone through various phases and taken different forms with critical milestones characterizing and shaping an uneasy relationship. This article argues that focusing on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI)’s changing de facto powers and prerogatives vis-à-vis the federal government is central to understanding the process of state-building in the KRI. The empirical findings of the article illustrate how the KRI’s relationship with the federal Iraq fluctuates depending on the entity’s desire to maintain its political independence, and more importantly, on the level of external support for its status. It further argues not only that the alignment between the KRI and the international community has not led to greater engagement between Erbil and Baghdad, but also when the KRI’s alignment with external community is limited or ceases to exist, the balance of power changes in favour of Baghdad.