While the last super power is desperately seeking a global authority in the region, each of Turkey and Iran is imposing growing political influences as regional powers. Here, the external challenges for Kurdistan seem a mere reflection of the ongoing policy with each of neighbouring country building up enough “Hard Power” both in military & economic strength all towards dominating the political stage of Middle East. And whereas Turkey is building up more on its “Soft Power” both in regional diplomacy & leadership, Iran is trapped in a weaker position. And yet, what seems for both an internal strength has been overshadowed by unsolved dilemma of their own Kurds. So, whether of the economy or of the military strength, the regional conflict will bring on its own challenges, but not before the rivalry among all these powers reaches it critical peak, and to agree in peace or war what might be fair for everyone. Further to the dilemma, if stability has become the first priority over democracy in Iraq the essence of federalism might be diluted within the merging centrality (Gulan 862). In short, all these interactions are the bone of contention and will work somehow against the building up of “Hard Power” in Kurdistan. To that end, Kurdistan has to tackle the mean of balance between all these political complexities. For, the interaction between the external challenges & opportunities for each side on one hand, and that what is in-between internal weakness & strength of this or that side would outline the merging political game.

Ultimately, the building up on internal strength by new cabinet in Kurdistan will depend on how the richness of natural resources would be mastered in wise developmental projection all towards economic stability (Gulan 829). A reliable strategic plan for sustainable development would argue for mobalization of human resources on this endeavour. While modern ”Management & Organization” would imply that ”Job Description” has to be defined for all of high-ranking directors in Kurdistan. Further, lessons from hitherto poor performance of the developmental planning & implementation in production sectors have shown that it is not enough as to figure out only the listed input supplies without detailing the relevant activiteis on how to do it (Gulan 799). Alas, much of the diffused efforts and confused duties & responsibilites are due lack of know-how. Here, the key factor is human resource development that can secure real ”Productivity”. And which is the measure of efficiency in production; based on output divided by input over real working hours. Verily, ”Productivity” & ”Sustaianablity” are the key factors for reviving the internal strength of Kurdistan as a promising bread basket in the region (Gulan 800, 813). And the added values in its agro-industries will consequently contribute in national security and the build up of an economic ”Hard Power”. It should help the coming government for curbing the unemployment rate in Kurdistan, whilst relevant rural development should eventually overcome the current ”Demographic Imbalance” (Gulan 800). And by reviving its traditional economy so that the way is as to preserve Kurdistan ”cultural identity” (Gulan 848). Here, government can support with relevant incentives and mix credits both for production, transportation, storage and marketing. Empowerment of farming community is a vital step towards their gradual engagment in such developmental projections. The institutional capacity building has to help for a better structuring of the growing privet sector, and in helping relevant ministries to building up skills that are demanded by business-climate & free market (Gulan 807). In this connection, a ”Master Plan” for rural development in Kurdistan was formulated since 2005 and in wait for a proper funding and political committment. Part of the fund required can be secured via an Iraqi compensation for the whole damages inflected upon Kurdistan since the 1960s and according to articles 25, 106, 121, & 112 of the Iraqi consititution for regional plus-budget (Gulan 834).

We have to admit that the internal weakness in Kurdistan is much due to social tension and which can be tackled when all relevant evils of inequity are kept back (Gulan 823). Sadly, what is claimed to be a free market in Kurdistan seems too free as to let the monster of inflation to bring about its own social shocks. The merging chaotic market has to be restarined all within the over-rules of law that would regulate the rights & responsibilites both of producers & traders involved, beside that of consumers. And even ongoing investment has to be refined and pre-conditioned by improvement in national socio-economy yet with no negetive environmental impacts. On other hand, a fair social system can be initiated via certain social arrangements like family income support via “Mother Benefit”. As such mothers in Kurdistan can be honoured with supplementary income that keeps the brick of the society (family) from breakdown, as well as, in securing the dignity of common people towards a decent life. It has been shown from nearby experiences of Turkey that prime education cannot be improved without the empowerment of mothers at home. Here, the prosperous private sector must show some kind of social responsibility. For, the social solidarity as such would strengthen the back bone of the society and hold it off internal weakness. And beside the improvement of the education system at large, increase of ”Productivity” in Kurdistan implies a reform of health care, and which demands a relevant policy. And the blueprint for such a policy has already bean articulated and in wait since the sixth cabinet for a governmental approval (Gulan 834-35). Further, and since its initiation during the fourth cabinet, the system of ”Quality Control” is still lacking an effective authority. All the same, efforts by coming cabinet must be devoted for an articulation of a policy for food and water security. Simply because modern economic trend for national security & ”Hard Power” has changed in context and merits all towards food security, water security and energy security (Gulan 807, 813, 817, 829). To that end, the water issue is already legalized by four relevant ”Acts”. All in all, that would certainly put the foundations for a long term national security with more political committments on this endeavour.

Accordingly, efforts by the seventh cabinet have to tackle the external challenges and internal weakness, as well as to grasp on external opportunities by building up something out of the internal strength, and in the way as to pave the way for an economic “Hard Power”. In an agrarian society like Kurdistan, the current oil revinues is a means to an end, and the economic development should be agricultural in nature with socio-economic affluence and political influence. We have to admit that the payoff for this process will take some time and sure beyond the era of a single cabinet, but it will definitely contribute significantly in strengthening the economy as a prerequisite for more political stability. Bear in mind that this cannot be achieved with immature advisory capability and sure not without a certain amount of transparency, team-work, and co-existing of loyality-&-capability (Gulan 807 & 838). In fine, the up-hill task ahead must rather unit than divide the ins and the outs in Kurdistan.
Dr. Anwar A. Abdullah
Ex-Senior Advisor
Office of Prime Minister
Sustainable Development
2004-2011