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The Contents of Zaidi’s Bill to Parliament on Arming Militias

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By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis Zaidi’s government has submitted a bill to Iraq’s parliament seeking to place weapons and military-security decisions under state control, potentially reshaping the status of armed militias. The contents of Zaidi's bill to parliament on arming militias Here is the text of the bill prepared by Zaidi's government on arming militias for parliament to vote on: Republic of Iraq House of Representatives Bill (Monopoly of Weapons and Military and Security Decisions in the Hands of the State) On behalf of the people House of Representatives Based on the provisions of Article (61/1) and Article (60/2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Iraq, and on the basis of the provisions of Articles (1), (9), (78), (109), (110), (111) and (121); Article (1) The following terms have, for the purposes of this Act, the meanings assigned to them:  First: The State: The Republic of Iraq and its constitutional and legal authorities and institutions.  S...
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What Baghdad’s centralization means for Kurdistan in 2027

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By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis Iraq’s post-2005 federal experiment faces sustained pressure from a clear recentralization drive centered in Baghdad. For the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), this trend—visible in fiscal levers, oil marketing authority, Federal Supreme Court rulings, and institutional friction—will shape the political and economic landscape of 2027 more decisively than any single election cycle or temporary deal.  As the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) prepares its demands for the 2027 federal budget and navigates delayed government formation, Baghdad’s assertion of control risks converting constitutional federalism into administrative subordination.¹ This analysis draws on recent developments, constitutional practice, and strategic assessments, including the Kurdistan Strategic Outlook 2027 published on Kurdish Policy Analysis, which projects the cumulative effects of fiscal and resource centralization through the end of the decade. Complementa...
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Baghdad’s militia test: can Iraq confront Iran’s armed proxies?

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Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj   Growing US pressure and Iranian warnings are pushing Baghdad toward a difficult choice: confront Iraq’s powerful militias or preserve a fragile political balance. Baghdad’s Dangerous Choice Iraq may be approaching one of the most consequential security confrontations since the post-2003 political order was established. Indicators emerging from Baghdad suggest that the federal government may be considering a significantly more ambitious campaign against Iranian-backed Iraqi militias, potentially including operations to enter and retake strongholds where armed groups have established deep political, military and social control. If such a campaign is genuinely being contemplated, it would represent far more than another attempt to enforce state authority. It would amount to a direct challenge to one of the most powerful pillars of Iran’s influence inside Iraq—and potentially a test of whether the Iraqi state can finally monopolize the use of force. The difficulty ...
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Lindsey Graham Passing Reshapes Republican Foreign Policy—and Raises Questions for the Kurds

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  By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis The sudden death of one of Washington's most influential Republican hawks removes a powerful congressional advocate for Ukraine, Israel, a hardline Iran policy, and Kurdish aspirations in the Middle East. The death of Senator Lindsey Graham removes one of Washington's strongest advocates for the Kurds, Ukraine, Israel, and a tougher US policy toward Iran. Lindsey Graham's Sudden Death Leaves a Strategic Void in Washington WASHINGTON — Senator Lindsey Graham , one of the Republican Party's most influential foreign policy voices and one of President Donald Trump's closest congressional allies, has died at the age of 71 following a sudden illness, according to a statement released by his office. His unexpected death comes at a particularly volatile moment in American and Middle Eastern politics. Graham had recently traveled to Ukraine, remained deeply involved in congressional debates over Iran and Israel, and was p...
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The Middle East’s new order: four forces that could reshape the region by 2030

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By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis       The Middle East is entering a hinge moment in which Gulf diplomacy, economic transformation, post-war reconstruction and regional security competition could determine whether the next decade brings greater stability—or a more dangerous era of permanent disorder. The Middle East is entering a new multipolar era. Gulf diplomacy, economic transformation, post-war reconstruction and regional security will shape the region’s future. The Middle East is approaching one of the most consequential geopolitical transitions in decades. The regional order that emerged after the Cold War—and was dramatically reinforced by the 2003 Iraq War, the Arab Spring, the rise of Iran-backed armed groups, the U.S. war on terrorism and the Abraham Accords—is increasingly giving way to something different. It is not yet clear what will replace it. But one thing is becoming increasingly evident: the Middle East is becoming more regionally driven,...
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Lindsey Graham's Death Leaves a Void in US-Kurdish Relations

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  By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis     The passing of Senator Lindsey Graham removes one of the most influential American advocates for the Kurdish people, raising questions about the future of bipartisan support for Kurdistan amid shifting US foreign policy priorities. The death of Senator Lindsey Graham removes one of Washington's strongest advocates for the Kurdish people, creating uncertainty for future US-Kurdish relations. The Loss of a Longstanding Friend of Kurdistan The sudden death of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has prompted an outpouring of tributes not only across Washington but throughout the Kurdistan Region, reflecting the rare position he occupied as one of the most consistent and influential American advocates for Kurdish interests. The Washington Kurdish Institute described Graham as a steadfast supporter whose commitment to the Kurdish people extended beyond political rhetoric, offering condolences to his family while highlighting...
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