Quote Originally Posted by JMA View Post
I hear what you say and it reaffirms the view that the non-Kurd Sunnis are struggling to come to terms with their change in status in Iraq. I would ask the Kurds whether they would prefer to go it alone or play second fiddle to the non-Kurd Sunnis who even together still comprise a 40-60 minority to the Shias in a unified Iraq. Then of course you need to ask the Shia whether they want to remain in a state with the minority Sunni whose areas produce little oil contribution to the national economy. It could get interesting.
The Kurds are definitely moving towards independence. They need to produce enough oil to support themselves, which is still a bit away though. They like the rest of Iraq have created an oil dependent economy with a huge public sector with the government being the largest employer and 70% of the budget going to govt salaries and pensions and imports just about everything.