How ‘private sector’ patronage networks are reshaping politics in the Kurdistan Region
As the Iraqi parliamentary elections slated for November 11 approach, the two ruling Kurdish parties – the KDP and PUK…
In Northeast Syria, Christian Schools Win Fight to Keep Damascus Curriculum, Complicate SDF Plans
The heads of Christian denominations in northeast Syria announced an agreement with the SDF-run administration that allows church-run schools to…
After 11 Years, Iraq’s Grand Mufti Returns as the Power Map Shifts
Iraq’s prominent Sunni cleric Rafi’ al-Rifa’i, widely known as the “Grand Mufti of Iraq,” returned to Baghdad after 11 years…
Written by
Arivan
Iraqi Election 2025: Kurdish Parties Seat Modeling and Scenarios
Iraqi Election 2025: Kurdish Parties Seat Modeling and Scenarios Interactive model shows how Kurdish parties could win—or lose—seats in November’s parliamentary vote When Iraqi voters head to the polls on…
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Arivan
What PKK veteran Sabri Ok’s role tells us about the Turkey–PKK peace process
On 26 October 2025, at a press conference on the southern edge of the Qandil Mountains near Ranya, in territory controlled by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), veteran PKK…
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Arivan
Iraq’s 2025 Elections: The Battle for Prime Minister and the Militia Question
On 11 November 2025, Iraq faces another constitutional test whose outcome will, as in every cycle, redistribute power, positions, and decision-making. What matters most will unfold after ballots are counted:…
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Written by
Arivan
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 vie for the largest possible share of the capital’s more…
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Written by
Arivan
Iraq’s GPS Blackouts Hint at Pre-Emptive Security Moves Amid Regional Tensions
Widespread signal interference in Baghdad hints at deeper security and regional dynamics.
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Written by
Arivan
PKK Announces Withdrawal of Fighters Inside Turkey, Signals Next Phase in Peace Process
The PKK says it has withdrawn all of its fighters inside Turkey as part of the ongoing peace process with the Turkish state. At the press conference where the announcement…
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Written by
Arivan
Tribes, Alliances, and Margins: Inside Kirkuk’s Tight Parliamentary Race
Kirkuk will send thirteen lawmakers to Baghdad next month—twelve through Iraq’s modified Sainte-Laguë proportional system and one Christian quota seat elected on a separate roll. With two weeks remaining, the…
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