Ethnicity-sect relationship in Iraq after 2003: The Turkmen case

This doctoral thesis delves into the political and social transformation in Iraq following the United States (US) invasion in 2003, with a particular focus on its impact on the Turkmen community. It addresses how the ethnic, religious, and political dynamics in Iraq have influenced the Turkmen's national unity and identity, as well as the opportunities and challenges they have encountered during this period. The thesis' central argument revolves around the Turkmen's efforts to strike a balance between their ethnic and sectarian identities post-2003 in Iraq, developing various political and social strategies in this process. It reveals that the ethnic Turkmen identity does not conflict with sectarian differences; rather, it transcends the ethnic and sectarian dichotomy in shaping the community's political choices. Utilizing the "Opportunity and Willingness Preliminary Theoretical Framework" developed by Most and Starr, the thesis analyzes the varying degrees of willingness among the Turkmen to exploit opportunities and how this reflects the harmony between their national identity and sectarian affiliation. It thoroughly examines how the political and social circumstances in Iraq present both opportunities and challenges for the Turkmen, shaping their ethnic, sectarian, and political stances. The thesis underscores that the Turkmen, facing political and social changes in Iraq, have adopted pragmatic and rational approaches, using sectarian affiliation as a tool to preserve their national identity. This study aims to offer a new perspective for future research on the interaction between ethnic and sectarian identities and their role in shaping national identity. KEYWORDS: Iraq, Turkmen, Etnicity, Sect, Opportunity and Willigness