Blog

Turkey Pushes SDF Toward a Choice Between ‘İmralı’ and ‘Israel’

The leader of Turkey’s MHP, Devlet Bahçeli, a key ally of President Erdoğan, has said that the SDF must “very soon” decide whether it remains loyal to the PKK’s jailed…
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Poll Reveals Widespread Political Disengagement Across Kurdistan Region

A recent survey by Sbey Research, a Sulaimani-based research organization, has uncovered striking patterns of political detachment among residents of the Kurdistan Region. The findings are particularly significant given the…
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Despite PKK “Democratization” Peace Process, Turkey’s Prison Numbers Reach Record High

As the peace process between the PKK and the Turkish state enters advanced stages, the crackdown on dissent has intensified, with prison numbers reaching new highs. From January to September…
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The SDF Calls for Merger Rather than Integration with HTS-Led Army to Build a Syrian “National Army”

Sipan Hamo, a commander in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has proposed forming a joint military council with the Syrian transitional government, describing it as a first step toward rebuilding…
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Shaikan Oil Production Tops 9.6m Barrels in First Eight Months of 2025, Revenue Hits $269m

Oil production from the KRG’s Shaikan field, located northwest of Erbil, remained strong during the first half of 2025, particularly in the first five months, averaging more than 46,500 barrels…
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Leader of Kurdistan Region’s Largest Opposition Party Sentenced to Five Months in Prison

A Sulaimani court has sentenced Shaswar Abdulwahid, leader of the New Generation Movement—the largest opposition party with 15 seats in the Kurdistan Parliament and 9 in the Iraqi Parliament—to five…
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Who is Masoud Barzani? A short political biography

Masoud Barzani, who turned 79 earlier this month, is the most prominent leader in the Kurdistan Region and the last surviving member of his generation with such influence. Alongside Jalal…
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Have the PYD–ENKS Unified Front Against Damascus Collapsed?

The Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, has said that the parties of the Syrian Kurdish National Council (ENKS) have asked Turkey for help. Yesterday, an ENKS delegation attended a Syrian…
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How Northeast Syrian Oil Continues Flowing Into Kurdistan’s Refineries

The oil of northeast Syria, extracted from fields in Hasakah and Deir ez-Zor, continues to flow into the Kurdistan Region. There, it is refined in Dohuk and Erbil before being…
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Baghdad Pushes al-Hol Conference Amid Fears of Sunni Syria and ISIS Spillover

Iraq is stepping up its diplomatic campaign to address the crisis of al-Hol camp in northeast Syria, pressing for an international framework to dismantle the camp’s extremist cells and repatriate…
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