Behind the Headlines: Kurdistan and Catalonia: The Politics of Self-Determination

This week Iraqi Kurdistan voted for its independence from the state of Iraq. So far, Israel is the only country to have expressed support for their cause. Iraq called the referendum illegal and unconstitutional. Iran and Turkey are in agreement, conducting joint military drills, and implementing measures against the Kurds to thwart their attempt to form an independent nation state. Even the U.S. won't recognize the move (officially, at least). But as Erdogan put it this weekend, "What are...