Northern Iraq would appear to be thriving. Supermarkets, internet cafes, busy streets; all the trappings of modernity. The Western protected Kurdish enclave in Northern Iraq was established after the Gulf War to protect Kurds from Saddam. But now Kurds fear they'll be dragged into America's next round of war. They are natural allies in any future attack on Iraq but they are hesitant. "We are against a strike, because so far it has been proven that apart from misery and problems for Iraqi people it has achieved nothing before", says Prime Minister Barzani.

The West has been happy to keep Saddam out of the Kurdish enclave, but has been less eager to allow the mini-state true independence. Iraq's Kurds have been isolated from the world, under strict sanctions and has barred journalists access. Our report shows that, despite this, Iraq's Kurds have developed a fledgling democracy and made a fortune from Iraqi oil, much of which is transported through their territory

At the border with Turkey, hundreds of petrol tankers pass through every day, paying for the Kurds' newfound peace and prosperity. In the last decade, two Kurdish uprisings instigated by America failed when the Kurds were abandoned by US forces at the last minute. This time Kurds insist they will be more careful. "The priority for us is the protection of the 3 ½ million people from any threat."

Produced by Annasofie Flamand