The Kurdish issue and question has not been a concern for the international community, particularly the western countries, until the Kurds fight against the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria in the recent years. However, studying the history of the Kurds and the studies conducted on the issues, it seems that the academic circles have been busy discussing the question and the term Kurdology has been used in some states, including Russia, for the Kurdish question and understanding the Kurds.

One of the centers which has been opened to study the Kurdish issue is the Kurdish Studies Center in Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland and Dr. Renata Kurpiewska-Korbut, a researcher at the center, is busy studying about the Kurds and has written a book about the Kurds in Iraq.

To find more about the status of the Kurds in the Middle East in the wake of the quick developments, Kurdpress conducted an interview with Dr. Kurpiewska-Korbut. What follows is her full answers to Kurdpress questions;

How do you see the Kurdish question in the Middle East, especially in Turkey and Iraq?

The Kurdish question in the Middle East has its own undisputed position, impossible to be expelled from regional political calculations. The Kurds gained unprecedented recognition all over the region. Beyond doubt their fight with Daesh contributed to this situation to a large extent.

The western countries were silent during the genocide campaign against Kurds by Saddam regime but they helped the Kurds to defeat the IS, what is the reason behind the reality?

During the Anfal campaign at the end of 80. there was no any political will on the west side to tackle with the vague Kurdish question, too strong, profitable connections with Iraqi regime (sale of weapons) and unwillingness to violate regional balance. In the case of ISIS there appear a common enemy, an idea to fight a brutal, an uncivilized enemy that threatens the security of humanity, including the West, and the Kurds were the most convenient and effective force to do this.

It seems that the western support for the Kurds is limited as they warned Iraqi Kurds not to conduct thier referendum, is that right?

To some extent the referendum and its results had obviously some negative (from the Kurdish perspective) diplomatic impact on the Kurdish position. However I suppose that it won’t last long and the Kurds gradually will regain their previous position.

It seems that the Eastern countries in Europe like Czech, Poland, and Hungary are more sympathetic towards the Kurds. what is the reason?

I don’t have any knowledge about Czech or Hungary official, political or academic stance on the Kurdish question. Regarding Polish political establishment, it seems to be sympathetic towards the Kurds and the Kurdistan Regional Government. I can definitely say that Poles who have knowledge about the history and plight of the Kurds approach it with respect and great understanding. This is due to Polish history, results from the experience of 123 years of servitude under German, Austrian and Russian partition and fighting for independence.

Can Iraqi Kurds establish their own independent state?

I’m convinced it would be possible in an appropriate historical and geopolitical collocation, with immense external political backing from the international community. For me, the independence of the Kurds is a matter of time.

Reporter’s code: 50101