Why Lahur Sheikh Jangi Resisted Arrest and Why Bafel Talabani Responded with Overwhelming Force
The arrest of Lahur Sheikh Jangi became one of the most controversial episodes in recent Kurdish politics, both for the…
Explainer: The Origins and Context of the Clashes in Sulaimani
The violent clashes that erupted in Sulaimani last night between PUK forces and supporters of Lahur Sheikh Jangi did not…
Shaswar Abdulwahid Faces Trial in Case That Could Reshape Kurdish Politics
Shaswar Abdulwahid, leader of the New Generation Movement and the largest opposition group by vote share in the Kurdistan Region,…
Written by
Arivan
KRG Ends Summer with Only One Salary Paid as Disputes with Baghdad Drag On
In the past 100 days, effectively an entire season, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has managed to distribute only one salary payment. As the summer season comes to an end,…
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Arivan
Ten Months On, KRG Cabinet Talks Deadlocked as ‘September Parliament Session’ Floated Under Western Pressure
The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) politburos met yesterday in Erbil to discuss the stalled formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cabinet and…
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Arivan
‘KRG, Baghdad Finalize Oil Handover Deal’ as Talks with Turkey and Companies Continue
The KRG Ministry of Natural Resources announced that it has finalized an agreement with Iraq’s Ministry of Oil on resuming Kurdistan Region oil exports. Context: Under the deal, the KRG…
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Arivan
New Generation Leader Shaswar Abdulwahid Detained in Sulaimani Ahead of Iraq’s November Elections
Shaswar Abdulwahid, leader of the largest opposition group in the Kurdistan Region, was arrested last night in Sulaimani under Article 431 of the Iraqi Penal Code, pursuant to an arrest…
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Arivan
Syria and Iraq Revive Talks on Dormant Oil Pipeline As Turkey Presses Iraq for More Favorable Pipeline Deal
Syria’s Energy Minister Muhammad al-Bashir arrived in Baghdad today for talks with his Iraqi counterpart, Oil Minister Hayan AbdulGhani, with the main focus on reviving the Kirkuk–Banias oil pipeline, as…
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Arivan
PUK Launches First Major US Lobbying Push with $1M Ballard Partners Deal
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has signed a nearly $1 million contract with the U.S. lobbying firm Ballard Partners to bolster its political and economic engagement with the US…
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Written by
Arivan
Northeast Syria Conference Courts Druze and Alawite Leaders to Build ‘Decentralisation’ Coalition Ahead of Paris Talks
An SDF-organised conference in Hasakah city aimed at bringing together cross-ethnic and cross-sectarian representatives marked a significant step, particularly as it featured video addresses from the most prominent Druze and…
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