Examining Iraqi Kurdish Motives in the Fight Against ISIL
Class
Article
Graduation Year
2018
College
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department
Political Science Department
Faculty Mentor
Jeannie Johnson
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract
This project examines the Iraqi Kurdish culture, using the Cultural Topography framework, in order to find the critical cultural factors that could heavily influence the way that the Kurds conduct themselves in the international community.
The war being fought by the Iraqi Kurds is to protect integral values: their land and Kurdish identity. However, they are exploiting this opportunity to gain extrinsic benefits from their fight. The Kurds value their land so highly that it defines their honor. In addition, one deeply embedded norm is to fight for their land because no one else will. Historically once Kurdish land is lost, it is lost for generations, due in large part to the politics of the international community. Even though the Iraqi Kurds are attempting to gain international recognition for their efforts fighting ISIL, they do not trust the international community. This attitude of distrust provides an opportunity for the United States to step in and build trust with the Iraqi Kurds for later dialogue.
Location
Room 421
Start Date
4-13-2017 1:30 PM
End Date
4-13-2017 2:45 PM
Examining Iraqi Kurdish Motives in the Fight Against ISIL
Room 421
This project examines the Iraqi Kurdish culture, using the Cultural Topography framework, in order to find the critical cultural factors that could heavily influence the way that the Kurds conduct themselves in the international community.
The war being fought by the Iraqi Kurds is to protect integral values: their land and Kurdish identity. However, they are exploiting this opportunity to gain extrinsic benefits from their fight. The Kurds value their land so highly that it defines their honor. In addition, one deeply embedded norm is to fight for their land because no one else will. Historically once Kurdish land is lost, it is lost for generations, due in large part to the politics of the international community. Even though the Iraqi Kurds are attempting to gain international recognition for their efforts fighting ISIL, they do not trust the international community. This attitude of distrust provides an opportunity for the United States to step in and build trust with the Iraqi Kurds for later dialogue.