The Future of Relations between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi Federal Government

Abstract

As the relationship between the regional government and the centre was tainted by persistent issues and conflicts, the relations between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi federal government were only reflected in the constitution and not on the ground. The regional government views itself as the victim of the centre, but centre officials contend that the regional government has exceeded its legal authority; as a result, these abuses must be stopped. After 2003, this understanding dominated the two parties' interactions, and it will continue to shape the extent and nature of their future relationships.

The main aim of the current study is to show a scenario or hypotheses for the future of relations between Erbil and Baghdad by relying on the analysis of the post-2003 experience and the experience of this stage that Iraq is going through.