Whereas the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights states that, All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development ; Whereas the United Nations Charter’s stated purpose, in Chapter 1, Article 2, part 2, is To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace ; Whereas the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) meets the criteria for post-Cold War state recognition set forth in the Charter of Paris and the Vienna Declaration; Whereas the KRI meets the four criteria in article 1 of the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, featuring a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states; Whereas the Kurdish people meet the objective requirements for the right of self-determination, which include a common language, religion, ethnic background, cultural heritage, and history; Whereas the KRI has proven as America’s most effective partner against the so-called Islamic State, providing the United States and coalition partners with ground forces sufficient as to not require substantial American ground forces; Whereas the KRI armed forces, known as Peshmerga , have sacrificed almost 2,000 fighters, with 9,000 wounded and more than 60 missing during operations against the so-called Islamic State; Whereas the KRI has provided refuge and aid to nearly two million refugees and internally displaced persons during the course of the Iraqi and Syrian civil wars