Barack Obama, President
United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
August 8, 2014
Honorable President Obama:
After the invasion of Iraq and toppling the regime of Saddam Hussein, America “won the war” but could not “win the peace,” because America did not have an adequate understanding of the historical hatred between Shi’as and Sunnis and the distrust between the Arabs and Kurds. America continued to push these entities to remain together without helping them develop a viable solution respected by all. Further, without completing the mission, Mr. President, you decided to pull the American military out of Iraq, eliminating all leverage the US had for a lasting peaceable solution. With the troop pull out of Iraq, Iran became the most influential power in Iraq—the Iranian interference with Iraq’s internal affairs angered many Arab countries and consequently, contributed more to the destabilization of the region.
So the situation gradually deteriorated. It was made worse by the failure of US policy in Syria when you failed to have a decisive engagement after making empty threats of a “red line” drawn by you in which you said, in effect, “If chemical weapons were used by the regime, America would take action against the Assad regime.” They did use chemical weapons and you didn’t do anything. This lack of decisive action by you, Mr. President and your advisors, encouraged some of the vicious radicals such as ISIS to disregard American threats and move on with their own destructive agenda and expand from Syria to Iraq. What happened to Iraq is also a failure of your policy in Syria because you were hesitant do anything to prevent the chaotic situation in Syria (which still persists) and which eventually spilled over into Iraq.
As a result of your inaction, ISIS erased the internationally recognized borders between Iraq and Syria, invaded Iraq and took over control of Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq. The Christians were the first to be victimized, because they were put in a position either to convert to Islam, or to pay fines for living in their own homes and property, or be killed. So as a result, tens of thousands of Christians fled to Kurdistan. While ISIS was committing such hideous crimes against the Christians, you not only did not help the displaced Christians, but also did not even condemn this vicious act—you took your “best” option and remained silent. Clearly, the ISIS militants were watching your reaction of no action; they took your inaction and silence as a “go ahead” and murdered more innocent people by invading Shengal—home of innocent Kurdish Yazidis—one of the most ancient religious faiths in the world. According to the August 8th The New York Times, ISIS militants executed dozens of Yazidi men and kept their wives for unmarried ISIS militants.
And now Mr. President you have decided to get involved and provide “limited” assistance to the Kurds. This also could be another indication to ISIS that America would not be fully committed because of your statement that America would only be going after “selected targets” without American boots on the ground. Well, Mr. President, you know that the Kurdish leadership would not want American boots to defend Kurdistan—the Kurdish peshmarga forces will fight the ISIS. What they need are weapons, ammunitions, equipment (which should be sent directly to them not via Baghdad), and continued and effective air support.
This begs a larger question about America’s unwillingness to publicly support an independent Kurdistan. Why is it that America does not see the reality on the ground in the Middle East that the Kurds are the most loyal friends in the Middle East second to the Israelis? Why does America not support the independence of Kurdistan, when Kurdistan could become an island of tranquility and prosperity in which American interests will be protected? How is it that France and Israel are able to see that and publicly declare their support for Kurdistan, including backing the historic claim of independence for the Kurds? They both also see how it is connected to the larger stability of the Middle East and protection of western interests.
Mr. President, with this chaotic situation, the future of the Middle East is not predictable. Therefore, it is in the best interests of America to think about making new reliable friends in the region by supporting the independence of Kurdistan. What the people of Kurdistan are asking for is the right of recognition as a free and sovereign people—a claim which is in line with American values and principles—life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
Sincerely yours,
Kirmanj Gundi
Professor
Department of Educational Leadership
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