Explainer: What is Iraq’s Federal Council that Barzani is pushing to create?
KDP leader Masoud Barzani has said that one of their key demands in any new Iraqi government-formation deal is the…
How the Turkey–PKK peace track actually moves
The current process follows a clear sequence: political declarations to halt hostilities, verifiable steps on the ground, certification by state…
Baghdad’s Sunni battlegrounds, explained
Baghdad’s Sunni political scene is entering a fierce contest ahead of the legislative elections slated for November 11, as parties…
Written by
Arivan
Who Are the Main Challengers for Iraq’s Nine Minority Quota Seats in the November 2025 Elections?
Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary elections, slated for November 11, 2025, will allocate nine out of 329 seats to minority communities. Five seats are reserved for Christians, and one seat each for…
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Written by
Arivan
Iraqi Parliamentary Election: Kurdistan Region Seat Projections for Major Political Forces
The election campaign has been underway for over a week now, with political lists and candidates pursuing their electoral fortunes to establish their true standing. Based on multiple polls, parties’…
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Written by
Arivan
How Iraqi Voter Turnout Plummeted from 79% to 41% Across Eight Elections
Iraq approaches its ninth general election since the 2003 regime change. Following five Council of Representatives sessions and three provincial council elections, the country now prepares for the sixth Council…
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Written by
Arivan
Iraq’s Sunni Politics in 2025: from Taqaddum’s Dominance to a Three-Way Contest
The early campaigns for Iraq’s November 11 parliamentary elections began well ahead of schedule, long before the official one-month window. Unlike previous rounds where appeals to cross-sectarian unity or “pan-Iraqi…
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Written by
Arivan
Did al-Sharaa Really Threaten the SDF with a Turkish Operation?
A statement attributed to Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa has circulated widely in Syrian, Turkish, and Kurdish media. It alleged that during a meeting with a group of experts, al-Sharaa…
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Written by
Arivan
Why the KRG Oil Negotiations Are Unparalleled in the World
The negotiations to resume KRG oil exports have seen little tangible progress despite months of talks and sustained U.S. pressure. Iraqi officials have repeatedly promised that exports would restart “any…
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Written by
Arivan
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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