One of the key roles of comparison in the social sciences is to provide perspective: a striking example of this can be seen in the contrasting engagements of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani at the Munich Security Conference. Their respective meetings reveal a stark difference in diplomatic stature and outreach, particularly notable given their relative constitutional positions.

Key contrasts in their diplomatic engagements:

Comparative Analysis: Al-Sudani vs Nechirvan Barzani

Munich Security Conference 2024

Nechirvan Barzani

President of Kurdistan Region

Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani

Prime Minister of Iraq

Heads of State

• Netherlands

• Armenia

• Estonia

• Bulgaria

• Kuwait (PM)

• Chairman of Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council

International Organizations

• NATO Secretary General

• President of European Commission

• NATO Joint Force Command Commander

Ministerial Meetings

Foreign Ministers (9):

• US, UK, France, Germany, Turkey

• Syria, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain

Defense Ministers:

• Italy, Germany

No ministerial meetings

Other Notable Meetings

• UK National Security Advisor

• Two US Senators

• Patriarch of Antioch and All the East

• Several European officials

• UK National Security Advisor

• One US Senator

• UNRWA Commissioner-General

• International Crisis Group CEO, ICC Prosecutor

The National Context

Nechirvan Barzani met with four heads of state—the leaders of the Netherlands, Armenia, Estonia, and Bulgaria—as well as the Prime Minister of Kuwait.

• In contrast, Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani met with only one head of state: the Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council.

Barzani held talks with NATO’s Secretary General and the President of the European Commission.

• Al-Sudani, however, met with neither but did meet the commander of NATO’s Joint Force Command.

Barzani engaged with nine foreign ministers, including those from the US, UK, France, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, and Germany.

• Al-Sudani, notably, met with none.

Barzani met with two US senators.

• Al-Sudani met with one.

Barzani held discussions with the defense ministers of Italy and Germany.

• Al-Sudani had no such meetings.

Both leaders held separate meetings with the UK’s National Security Advisor.

Additionally, Barzani met with the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, along with several European officials.

• Meanwhile, al-Sudani’s engagements included meetings with the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, the CEO of the International Crisis Group, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, and a few CEOs of multinational corporations.

The contrast in their engagements is particularly noteworthy: while Barzani’s schedule was filled with high-level diplomatic meetings typical of a head of state, al-Sudani’s engagements were notably more modest in scope, resembling those of PUK President Bafel Talabani, who was also present, rather than the prime minister of a sovereign nation.

This comparison serves multiple analytical purposes. Beyond illuminating the nature of diplomatic engagements themselves, it provides insight into the broader role of international engagement with Kurdistan as a political entity. It highlights how such interactions can either enhance or diminish legitimacy on the global stage.