The Kurds in Syrian Kurdistan and the Challenge of Negotiation
Syria’s Decade of Turmoil Over the past decade, Syria has undergone dramatic changes that shattered its political and social fabric. The collapse of state structures, the loss of territorial control, and the deepening conflict have turned the country into a fragmented landscape of chaos. Many once hoped that the fall of the old regime would […]
Prime Minister Barzani’s U.S. Mission: A Strategic Leap for Kurdistan’s Future
Introduction In May 2025, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani arrived in Washington for one of the most important diplomatic missions in Kurdistan’s modern history. His visit exceeded expectations, strengthening the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) ties with the United States and opening the door for new energy partnerships that could reshape Iraq’s federal balance. Kurdistan […]
Law or Politics? Examining the Intervention of Iraqi and Kurdistan Region Administrations
Introduction: The Ongoing Struggle Between Law and Power The political and legal relationship between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) has long been marked by ambiguity, tension, and cycles of conflict. Unless Iraq’s constitutional uncertainties are resolved and there is genuine political will for power-sharing, disputes will continue to surface—shifting from legal interpretations […]
Why Don’t the PUK and KDP Agree?
Post-Election Deadlock in Kurdistan After the Kurdistan parliamentary elections in October last year, concerns quickly arose about the distribution of seats and the difficulty of forming a government. I predicted that the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) might delay cabinet formation until the 2025 parliamentary elections—potentially pushing the establishment […]
China’s Promise in the Kurdistan Region: A Pragmatic Partnership in the Making
A Growing Chinese Footprint in the Kurdistan Region China’s economic presence in the Kurdistan Region is expanding at a steady and strategic pace. From new telecom towers to cement factories running day and night, and even classrooms offering Mandarin lessons, the signs of Chinese cooperation are increasingly visible. Behind this growth lies a calculated and […]
Kurdistan Region eyes record gas output of over 1 billion cubic feet per day in 2025
Quick summary for search results:With the KM250 expansion at the Khor Mor field entering final pre-production tests and the Chemchemal field ramping up, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) is poised to lift total gas output to ~1.025 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) in 2025—putting it within striking distance of Iraq’s nationwide production. Key […]
Syria’s Economy: Opportunities & Threats
Overview Syria’s economy is entering a decisive—yet uncertain—phase. A decade of conflict has left deep structural scars, while the current leadership, led by interim President Ahmed Shara, signals a new plan for recovery. Remittances from Syrians abroad, promised Gulf investments, and revived trade with neighbors offer fresh momentum. But the gaps—weak institutions, damaged infrastructure, and […]
Kurdish Intellectuals at a Crossroads: Beyond the PKK and Toward a Pluralist Future in Turkey
TL;DR (3 bullets for featured snippets) With the PKK’s armed struggle ending, Kurdish rights in Turkey must advance through lawful, democratic means. Polarization and silence among Kurdish intellectuals are creating a vacuum that fuels cynicism and populism. A renewed, pluralist intellectual movement can shape policy, culture, and education without party dogma. A Pivotal Shift—and a […]
A Decade of the Kurdistan Region Salary Crisis: What the Numbers Really Show
Key takeaways (30-second read) The gap between Baghdad’s hiring/pay practices and the Kurdistan Region’s realities has widened over 10 years. Federal Iraq added 1.18M+ civil servants in a decade; the Kurdistan Region’s public payroll shrunk by ~19,339. Durable solutions require transparent data and either internal fiscal redesign in the Kurdistan Region or time-bound, decision-maker-level negotiations […]
Building Kurdistan’s Infrastructure Through Natural Gas
Introduction The Kurdistan Region of Iraq holds nearly 30 trillion cubic meters of natural gas reserves, spread across about 10 fields, primarily in the Chamchamal district. This abundant resource gives the region a rare opportunity to transform its economy, secure energy independence, and build long-term infrastructure. By strategically investing in gas production and converting it […]
