Kurds in Post-Saddam Iraq

The Kurdish-inhabited region of northern Iraq has been relatively peaceful and prosperous since the fall of Saddam Hussein. However, the Iraqi Kurds¿ political autonomy, and territorial and economic demands, have caused friction with P.M. Nuri al-Maliki and other Arab leaders of Iraq, and with Christian and other minorities in the north. Turkey and Iran were skeptical about Kurdish autonomy in Iraq but have reconciled themselves to this reality. Contents of this report: (1) Pre-War Background; (2) Post-Saddam Period/The Kurdistan Regional Gov¿t. (KRG); (3) Major Issues Between Baghdad and the Kurds: Participation in the Central Gov¿t. Independence Question; Control Over Oil Resources/Oil Laws: PKK and Other Kurdish Militant Safehaven.