Iraqi Armed Groups Shift Stance on US Withdrawal After Assad’s Fall
Iraqi armed groups are reconsidering their demands for the withdrawal of US forces after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to both Iraqi and American officials. The shift marks a significant change in Iraq’s political and security landscape, reflecting new regional realities and fears of a potential ISIS resurgence. Background: US Withdrawal Agreement […]
Iraq: Will Parliamentary Elections Be Delayed Until Spring 2022?
Election Postponement and Political Relief A series of marathon meetings between Iraq’s three presidencies, the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), the UN Secretary-General in Iraq, and key political parties led to the decision to postpone the elections. The IHEC complied, and the Council of Ministers approved the move. Political parties, many unprepared for the polls, […]
Iraq: A Land Whose Borders Are Breached by All
Post-2003 Expectations vs Harsh Realities When Saddam Hussein’s regime fell in 2003, many believed Iraq would rise as a strong, democratic, and sovereign state. Instead, Iraq has turned into a battlefield for foreign powers, a hub for armed proxy groups, and an economy heavily dependent on its neighbors. A Year of Escalation: 2020 in Focus […]
What Does an Erdogan-Assad Rapprochement Mean for Syrian Kurds?
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has intensified efforts to normalize relations with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a leader he once called a “terrorist.” This surprising U-turn raises a critical question: what would a Turkey-Syria rapprochement mean for Syrian Kurds, who are seen as a common adversary by both governments? The Kurdish Dilemma Amid Rapprochement For […]
Tehran–Washington Tensions: The Kurdish Question and Shifting Middle Eastern Alliances
The geopolitical landscape of the Middle East is undergoing a dramatic transformation. As U.S. influence retreats, regional powers are recalibrating their strategies. Saudi Arabia, once considered a key American ally, finds itself weakened, especially after its ambiguous maneuvers with the Kurds. The referendum called by Massoud Barzani, then president of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, served […]
The Dim Future of Kurdistan
The debate over independence remains one of the most heated issues in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), argues that the defeat of the Islamic State will reshape the map of Iraq and the Middle East, giving the Kurds an opportunity to declare their own state. But […]
The Kurds’ Strategic Position in the Future of the Middle East
Introduction: Why the Kurds Matter in the Middle East The Middle East is a region defined by complexity, rich cultures, and intense geopolitical struggles. Among its many ethnic groups, the Kurds stand out for their resilience, cultural identity, and growing influence on regional and international politics. Spread across Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria, the Kurdish […]
What Is Turkey’s Opposition to NATO Enlargement Really About?
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s decision to block Sweden and Finland’s NATO accession during a war in Europe has sparked global debate. His demands—focused largely on the Kurdish issue—reveal deep insights into Ankara’s security priorities, domestic politics, and foreign policy calculations. Turkey’s Objections: Security Concerns or Political Theater? Ankara’s objections to Sweden’s NATO membership shocked […]
Dams Are Not the Solution to Water Scarcity in Iraqi Kurdistan
Climate Change and Iraq’s Growing Water Crisis Iraq is facing one of the most severe climate crises in the Middle East. Rising summer temperatures, declining rainfall in winter, and rapid desertification are pushing the country toward dangerous levels of water scarcity. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi Federal Government have tried to counter […]
Turkey-Syria Normalization: Shared Hopes, Local Fears
Talks between Turkey and Syria, mediated in Moscow, initially raised hopes of improved relations and coordinated security strategies. Yet, despite high-level meetings between military and intelligence officials, real progress has been limited. Turkey’s approach to normalization centers on two goals: joint action against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and their civilian wing, the Democratic Autonomous […]
