Kurdish Aspirations and Israel’s Strategy in the New Middle East Landscape

 

Sherzad Mamsani, EastMed Contributor

The project for a New Middle East is a political idea that has started to take shape in recent years, aiming to reshape the region in line with the interests of major powers, primarily the United States and Israel.

This plan includes new alliances between Arab countries and Israel, with the goal of weakening the influence of Iran and Turkey in the region. The Kurds, who live in several countries in the region, are a significant part of this shift, both through the ongoing conflicts they experience and through their growing role in reshaping regional balances. Israel has always sought to expand its influence in the Middle East, and within the framework of the New Middle East plan, it has worked to strengthen its relations with Arab states. Since the signing of the Camp David Accords with Egypt in 1979 and the Oslo Accords with the Palestinians in the 1990s, Israel has been searching for new ways to build relations with countries in the region.

However, the major turning point came in 2020 with the “Abraham Accords,” which were signed by Israel with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, followed later by countries such as Sudan and Morocco. These agreements represented a major step in Israel’s relations with the Arab world, as these countries began normalizing their relations with Israel after decades of hostility. These agreements represent a strategic move for Israel, providing significant economic and security opportunities.

On one hand, Israel benefits from strengthening its trade relations with Gulf countries, which are among the largest economies in the region, and on the other hand, these agreements enhance security cooperation, especially in the face of threats such as Iran’s influence in the region. However, at the same time, these agreements raise questions about their impact on the Palestinian cause, as many Palestinians believe that these agreements signal a retreat from Arab support for their rights.

In this context, the role of the Kurds, who live in many countries of the Middle East, such as Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Iran, cannot be overlooked. The Kurds represent a significant part of the social and political structure of these countries and have their own aspirations for autonomy or even independence.

For Israel, the Kurds could be a strategic ally within the framework of the New Middle East project, as the Kurds share common interests with Israel, such as combating Iran’s influence and preventing the spread of Shiite militias in the region.

In Iraq, the Kurds were able to establish the Kurdistan Region, which enjoys autonomy since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003. This region is an unofficial ally of Israel, with the two sides maintaining diplomatic and economic relations in several areas, although the central government in Baghdad does not fully recognize this region.

In Syria, the Kurds were able to create “Rojava” in the northern and eastern parts of the country, a political experiment that reflects their aspirations for autonomy within Syria. In these areas, the Kurds played a key role in fighting ISIS, forming a major military component in international coalitions led by the United States. Israel’s support for the Kurds in Syria and Iraq could help strengthen their regional power, but at the same time, it exposes them to increased tensions with Turkey, which considers many Kurdish organizations as terrorist groups.

With the development of the Abraham Accords, the Kurds might see these developments as an opportunity to enhance their autonomy, but they also face significant challenges. Despite their potential alliance with Israel, this cooperation could provoke reactions from their neighboring countries, such as Turkey and Iran, which view the Kurds as a threat to their national security.

Additionally, many Arab governments continue to refuse to recognize the rights of the Kurds in certain countries, placing the Kurds in a difficult position between their new alliances and their traditional adversaries. Ultimately, the future of the Kurds in the New Middle East project depends on several factors, primarily the political balances in the region and international stances. Israel may continue to support the Kurds as strategic allies in addressing common challenges, but this support may face resistance from major regional powers. The Kurds in Iraq and Syria may find in this change an opportunity to strengthen their political position, but at the same time, they will have to navigate through a complex political reality, where powerful international and regional forces shape the future of the region.

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