Iraq Getting Their Way

The Kurdish revolt shakes Saddam, contributing to his decision to form a new Cabinet, and raises the question, Does the country face a breakup?

If we had a king,

He would be worthy of his crown;

He should have a capital

And we would share his fortune.

Turk and Persian and Arab

Would all be our slaves.

-- Kurdish verse popular in the 1920s

The slaves are out of the question, but the capital and the fortune are looking more attainable than ever to Iraq's Kurdish minority. After struggling for most of this century for control of their homeland, which happens to sit atop some of Iraq's richest oil fields, the Kurds have wrested large portions of it from Saddam Hussein's disheveled forces. Though their...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!