Hogir Fathi, a 24-year-old fighter in the Iraqi peshmerga forces, was eagerly anticipating a visit to his village in autonomous Kurdistan when he was tragically killed by a bomb on the frontline against Islamist militants. His father, Mehdi, also a peshmerga fighter, expressed pride in his son's sacrifice for an independent Kurdistan. The Kurds, who have long dreamed of their own state after being denied one following World War One, are now closer to that goal as internal strife in Iraq raises the possibility of partition. Despite the Kurds of Iraq already governing themselves and expanding their territory, economic and external pressures may delay their push for independence. Kurdistan Vice President Kosrat Rasul Ali, a veteran peshmerga commander, expressed that while all Kurdish people support independence, leaders must carefully assess whether the timing is right. He emphasized the importance of considering the political climate before proceeding, as rushing into independence could lead to unforeseen consequences. The threat of secession has been a strategic tool for the Kurds in negotiations with Shi'ites and Sunnis in post-Saddam politics. Despite facing hostility from Turkey in the past, the obstacles to full independence for Iraqi Kurdistan may be diminishing. While Ankara has concerns about its own Kurdish population and the unity of Iraq, it has collaborated with Iraqi Kurds to benefit from their oil resources. On the other hand, Iran, a supporter of Shia parties in Baghdad, views Kurdish secession as a threat to Iraq's wealth distribution. Competition between Iran and Turkey in Iraqi Kurdistan has fueled tensions within Kurdish politics, particularly between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). A senior figure in the PUK warned that failure to maintain a balanced relationship between Iran and Turkey could have negative consequences. The PUK, led by President Jalal Talabani and Vice President Rasul, accused the KDP of collaborating with Turkey in a Sunni conspiracy against Iraq. The United States is pressuring the Kurds to remain part of a unified Iraq, despite Kurdish desires for independence. Kurdish leaders are willing to negotiate for concessions in exchange for their cooperation in keeping Iraq together. The Kurds are facing financial difficulties due to reduced federal budget spending and limited oil export capabilities. While some believe independence is worth sacrificing for, others argue that it may be more beneficial for the Kurds to delay independence for economic reasons. A practical Kurdish leadership may choose to wait and observe how Iraq's other factions and their international supporters handle the Islamist attack. According to a Western diplomat knowledgeable about Iraqi politics, the Kurds currently have a strong advantage. Pursuing independence could potentially result in more drawbacks than benefits.