|  RRC 

On 10 September, 2017 RRC organized a panel on the strategic roles of Peshmerga that focused on relations between army and state. This panel consisted of military experts from Kurdistan, Iraq, turkey, US, Russia and Afghanistan

Discussing such issue is happening at time when we are getting closer to the Kurdish referendum. In the panel the role of both state and army and how affect each other discussed. Participants have emphasized that any state building process is related to establish and develop unified armed forces, and as for Kurdistan region they have discussed that is important Peshmerga to be united and become a professional army. Also have discussed role of Peshmerga in global security in the fight against ISIS which Peshmerga was one of the main forces in defeating and weakening ISIS in Kurdistan, Iraq, the region and world.

On the relations between independence and building army some of the discussion was on the security situation of Kurdistan post -independence and mentioned the threats whether directly and indirectly in short and long term will face state of Kurdistan in the future.

And some security matters that are concerning for the region been discussed such in post-ISIS era still there will be security support from the west for Kurdistan region? And as likely US stay neutral in a presumably fight between Kurdistan region and Iraq, regional interference and return terrorism threat to the region.

Pavl Flghawr Russian security expert said that his country will back any force that fight terror. Role of Peshmerga in fighting terror is clear and after independence will have bigger role. He believes Peshmerga need to be more united to establish state. In the fight against terror some of the states will support you with air force but for independence Kurdistan cannot rely on any external power. And at this stage due to regional countries Peshmerga cannot get heavy weapons therefore KRG need to create another force to support Peshmerga in defending Kurdistan from the threats will face Kurdistan.

Dr.Nihad Ali Uizjan Turkish expert said ‘’ future role of Peshmerga is related to that political model that eventually will be established here’’. He stated that national state means building national army and for that the Kurds first need to organize relation between army and politics, civilians and military and define technical problems that will cause difficulties to create an army. And in international politics he thinks that Kurdistan for its defense policy is more headed towards west and due to its difficult and complicated geopolitical position Kurdistan will need a long term relations with one of the regional countries. When it comes to the issue of land is related to the mentality that presumable state of Kurdistan will have long term security problem with neighboring countries that can last for two generations.

Hikmatullah Zaland head of Kabul regional studies center in afghanistan spoke on the similarity between Kurdistan and Afghanistan experiences, he explained that his country’s expereince can have some lessons for Kurdistan . he spoke on the negative roles of the milita groups and war lords which led to increase administraitive corruption in Afghanistan, and said that fake military phenomenen and mafia actions of some of the military commanders have made barriers for state reforms.

American Retired General Erine Audino said because of different reasons independent Kurdistan will protect US interests. Added that some of the officials of current US adminsitration are supporting independence of Kurdistan, the kurds are moderate Sunnis and have democratic experience, although that perfect democracy won’t be born immediately but step by step will progress. And said that withdrawal America from Iraq led to more Iranianin domination in the region. Kurdistan independent state also can have impact on the energy security of Turkey and reduce Ankara’s reliance on Russia.

Audino said there are people around President Trump will enlighten him. Therefore in the end US won’t leave Kurdistan and will protect it. Added that weapons and technics are not important alone for army but need to consider other components as well.

He said Kurds have proved that whenever there is real threat they will unite, and has explained how US army was established which they are different forces and army that some of them moves by the order from governor of states. But in constitution there is a mechanism that how these American army units and divisions unite when needed and move according to president’s order.

Wa’ad al-Omari military advisor for the national ninevah guards said that there are four different armies currently are in Iraq: Peshmerga, PMF, Hashd al-Ashaeri and Iraqi army which can create security problems to each other. He said that Peshmerga also need military doctrine and stragery for the future. And said that power of army is not only in the technics and number of troops.

The security concerns for the future of Kurdistan region made the foreign and local experts to believe that building an army in Kurdistan is important and some others have suggested the alliance with the regional and international power to the strategic security of Kurdistan state is needed.