Promoting Dialogue on Iraq’s Disputed Territories

The status of Kirkuk and other disputed territories is one of the greatest conundrums in Iraqi politics. With a December deadline looming for the U.S. military drawdown to be completed, no universally accepted political or constitutional framework exists among Iraqis for addressing what some have called the greatest threat to the country’s stability.

As part of the Institute’s contribution to promoting Iraqi dialogue on this important matter, USIP’s Sean Kane discusses his new report entitled “Iraq’s Disputed Territories: A View of the Political Horizon and Implications for U.S. Policy,” which concretely imagines what an Iraqi-negotiated solution to the disputed territories might look like. In addition, Harvard University’s Emma Sky outlines potential on-the-ground conflict prevention and management mechanisms that could help create the space for Iraqi leaders to continue their search for agreement on these difficult and sensitive issues. These are further described in her recently published Peace Brief, "Preventing Arab-Kurd Conflict in Iraq after the Withdrawal of U.S. Forces."

The speakers are joined by senior Iraqi respondents and Joost Hiltermann of the International Crisis Group, who provides a critical look at the ideas and options proposed.

Speakers

Sean Kane
Program Officer, Iraq Programs
U.S. Institute of Peace
Emma Sky
Resident Fellow, Harvard University
Former Political Advisor to the Commanding General, U.S. Forces-Iraq
Former CPA Governorate Coordinator - Kirkuk
Dr. Joost Hiltermann, Respondent
Deputy Program Director, Middle East and North Africa
International Crisis Group
William Taylor, Moderator
Senior Vice President, Center for Conflict Management
U.S. Institute of Peace