Kurdistan - Good for Armenia?

[Persopolis]

The purpose of this thread is to discuss the effects of the establishment of an official Kurdish state on Armenia against the backdrop of the interests of the regional players. After the invasion of Iraq, Northern Iraq became a de facto Kurdish government - 20% of Turkey's population are Kurdish, and Iran has 2 million Kurds. The information at the start of the thread will be generally stated to allow anyone who wants to participate to add specific data.

QUESTIONS PRESENTED:

1. Would the establishment of a Kurdish state be good for Armenia? Why or Why not?

2. Would military and economic alliances change among the regional players if a Kurdish state came into existence?

3. What are the pros and cons of a Kurdish state for Armenia? What are the risks?

4. What do you see as the best possible outcome to the Kurdish question in so far as Armenia's interests are considered?

5. Would you like to see a Kurdish state with a modern military?

General Data to Consider:

* THE LARGE REGIONAL STATES: Russia, Iran, Turkey.

* THE SMALLER REGIONAL STATES: Armenia, Georgia (incl. Ossetia), Azerbaijan.

* AMBIGUOUS REGIONAL STATES: Iraq (post invasion status unclear); Unofficial Kurdistan (Majority of Kurds are in Turkey & Iraq (20% of Turkey's citizens are Kurds); and 2 million Kurds are in Iran.)

* NON-REGIONAL PARTICIPANTS: U.S.A., NATO, EU, Israel.

[levon]

Re: Kurdistan - Good for Armenia?

Kurdistan will likely never establish unless Turkey seriously pisses off the west, which won't happen. The idea of Kurdistan is just a card the west uses to pressure Turkey. It's like the Genocide card.

The establishment of Kurdistan is only beneficial to Armenia insofar as it de-stabilizes, weakens if not destroys Turkey. However, that's only in the short run. In the long run, Kurdistan will become another Turkey, except it will only act in the interest of the West, which have generally been against Armenian interests. The best scenario is Kurdistan is created, Turkey dissolves, then Kurdistan dissolves, and East of Turkey becomes part of Armenia. Of course, Turkey is a much bigger thread than Kurdistan could be; so in the mean time, it's a good idea to stir up as much sh!t in Turkey as possible, perhaps through indirect support of Kurds, introduction of liberal ideas, introduction of the idea of global citizenship rather than nationalism, basically, any ideas that will weaken and eventually destroy the social structure in Turkey: wage war on their social structure but smile at their faces. Kurds can help us a great deal, but as an independent nation, Kurdistan will likely not be too friendly with Armenia, as Kurds are easily influenced by promise of money and often do others dirty work, which in this case will be the bidding of the west (mainly Israel, whose foreign policy isn't too friendly towards Armenia).

[Persopolis]

Re: Kurdistan - Good for Armenia?

The establishment of Kurdistan is only beneficial to Armenia insofar as it de-stabilizes, weakens if not destroys Turkey.

You had a thoughtful response - I appreciate it.

Do you know if the Kurds are making any claims to territory presently held by Armenia?

And how is Azerbaijan handling the Kurdish issue?

[Joseph]

Re: Kurdistan - Good for Armenia?

Agree with Levon. Should a Kurdistan arise in what is now Western Armenian, it will destabilize Turkey and that is good for Armenia/Armenians. Should a Kurdish State arise in Northern Iraq, it will be beneficial if it creates tension between Turks and Kurds.

Some Kurds have claims to parts of the Ararat valley in Armenia and to the Karvachar (Kelbajar region) but generally most do not. They do claim much of Western Armenia. Azerbaijan threw many Kurds into the army along with Talish, Legzins, Avars to do their fighting for them during the war. Kurds that live in Armenia are left alone and live as normal citizens.