Mazloum Abdi’s meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa delayed as U.S. envoy seeks to resolve key differences

A widely anticipated meeting between Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and U.S. Special Envoy…

Budget Deadlock Masks Broader Baghdad–KRG Showdown

The salary crisis in the Kurdistan Region is deepening, with public employees now unpaid for 68 consecutive days. Behind closed…

A Breakdown of the KRG’s Oil, Budget, and Salary Realities Since the March 2023 Oil Pipeline Halt

Two years and three months have elapsed since the Paris Court’s ruling concerning the independent sale of the Kurdistan Region’s…

U.S. Plans to Fold SDF into Syrian Army—So Why Fund It in 2026?

The Pentagon’s 2026 budget for Syria allocates $130 million to support its vetted local partner forces despite the March 2025 framework agreement, which committed to integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces…
Read More (3 min. read)

US Quietly Anchors PKK Disarmament Process Through SDF-Syria Deal

The PKK’s first practical step toward disarmament is expected to take place between July 10 and 12, according to the group’s spokesperson, Zagros Hiwa. This symbolic ceremony will involve fewer…
Read More (3 min. read)

KRG Claims $8M Left from Oil Revenues. The Real Figure May Be Nearly Twenty Times Higher

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has recently restated its position on oil production and revenue amid growing public frustration over unpaid salaries and persistent concerns about transparency. This follows an…
Read More (3 min. read)

The U.S. Moves Ahead with Damascus Partnership to Combat ISIS and Oversee ISIS Camps

Following the removal of sanctions on Syria, the White House statement said the administration will monitor progress on key priorities, including “helping the United States prevent a resurgence of ISIS,…
Read More (3 min. read)

As the Israel–Iran War Concludes, the U.S. Moves to Reset Iraq’s Political Order

In the past week, two interconnected developments have unfolded in Iraq. The U.S. has stepped in to mediate between Erbil and Baghdad over the KRG’s unpaid salaries and stalled oil…
Read More (3 min. read)

KRG and Baghdad Move Closer to Salary Deal Amid Oil and Revenue Talks

A key meeting today in Baghdad may lead to a preliminary agreement that would resume the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) salary payments, which have been suspended for two months. The…
Read More (3 min. read)

U.S. Pressure Disrupts PMF Salaries, Deepens Iraq’s Pro-Iran Militia Dilemma

The salaries of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) for June have not been disbursed. While some lawmakers and figures close to the PMF initially cited a “technical issue” in the…
Read More (3 min. read)