Former US Ambassador: 'What comes after self-determination?'

WASHINGTON DC, United States (Kurdistan24) – A US diplomat said that Kurds and Arabs in Iraq have to be unified to defeat the threat of the Islamic State (IS) in the country.

James Jeffrey, the former United States Ambassador to Iraq, discussed the ongoing operations in Mosul and Fallujah.

“As long as [IS] holds on to terrain…all of Iraq, from Kurdistan in the north to Basra in the south, is going to be under tremendous political, financial, military and terrorist pressure,” he stated.

Jeffrey also pointed out that any offensive must consider the civilian populations in the areas.

Regarding the conflicts between Sunni and Shia militias, the former Ambassador said that cooperation is necessary, and there is “no other way forward.”

He explained that Sunni, Shia, and Kurds must work with the US and coalition members to defeat IS.

“[IS] has to be smashed, we have to move rapidly,” Jeffrey stated.

The former Ambassador also touched upon the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad and indicated that the two have to resolve their issues to prevent outside threats.

“It is very important that Erbil and Baghdad…work out some way of living together because together [they are] a strong, unified country,” he said.

Jeffrey believes that while deciding on their future and the right to self-determination, Kurds need to be aware of the consequences that follow. He specifically warned about attacks from Iran and IS.

"Self-determination is a good thing. The question is what comes the day after. An Iraq that is unified, that can share its wealth and resist attacks from outside...is the best solution. An Iraq that is divided...opens the door to instability, invasion and more violence."

He concluded by saying that Iran has a negative role in Iraq. 

Jeffrey is currently a Philip Solondz Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. The former Ambassador also served as assistant to the president and deputy national security advisor in the George W. Bush administration.

Editing by Ava Homa

(Kurdistan24 team in Washington DC conducted the interview)