Since 2003, the Turkmens of Iraq have sought to preserve their identity with a strong desire to integrate into the social and cultural environment, which has manifested in their entry into non-Turkmen political parties and antipathy from those who view them as a minority in the country. This duality has shaped Turkmen behavior, ranging from a rush to integrate with the broader surroundings on one hand to a turning inward on the other because of an inability to confront larger groups. This study seeks to reveal the Turkmens� self-understanding of their situation and their aspirations, and what their future should be in Iraq, based an analytical survey approach reliant on direct interviews with �elites,� from activists, academics, media figures, members of political parties.