The Kurdistan Region's Position in US Foreign Policy: A Comparative Study between the Periods (1991–2003) and (2003–2020)

Abstract

Relations between the Kurdistan Region and the United States are one of the most important issues in the field of international relations in the new Iraq, because After the 1991 uprising, the Kurdistan Region became one of the most important non-state actors in the region due to geopolitical and international changes. This paper attempts to analyze the strategic position and importance of the Kurdistan Region in US foreign policy and present the changes in this position in a comparative manner between two different periods, the first period after the uprising until the occupation of Iraq (1991–2003). The second phase after the occupation of Iraq until 2020. The study relies on comparative, descriptive-analytical and historical methods to explain the impact of domestic, regional and international factors on the direction of US foreign policy towards the Kurdistan Region. The results of this study indicate that the position of the Kurdistan Region in US policy has been constantly influenced by domestic changes and regional and international equations and the United States has dealt with the Kurdistan Region on the basis of its strategic interests at most stages. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, a number of scientific methods have been used, including: Comparative methods to compare the position of the Kurdistan Region in two periods (1991–2003) and (2003–2020). Also, the descriptive-analytical method to describe political events and changes and analyze the causes and consequences of US policy towards the Kurdistan Region. At the same time, the historical method has been used to study the roots and development of relationships over a period of time. The research relies on Kurdish, Arabic and English sources, books, scientific journals, official documents and international reports to collect data and information.