Trump and Xi Jingping summit: How are the United States and China redefining their relationship?

Image
As tensions over trade, Taiwan, technology, and global influence intensify, the meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping may determine the future balance of power between Washington and Beijing. By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Sulaimani, Iraq | 13 May 2026 — Kurdish Policy Analysis "We don't have permanent allies and we don't have permanent enemies, only our interests are permanent, and we have to follow them." – Henry John Temple. The root of the current Strait of Hormuz tensions is not only about shipping routes or oil prices, but also about the final collapse of the historical US concept towards Beijing. However, the 2025 National Security Strategy, released by the White House in November, says this was a historic mistake because China used the assets it accumulated to strengthen itself and compete with the West, not to become their partner. For many years, the United States alone maintained maritime security; The fifth US ship in Manama, Bahrain, worked only to keep o...
Post a Comment

Iraq urges Kurdistan to resume oil exports to Türkiye

 

    Iraq’s Ministry of Oil has called on the regional government of Iraqi Kurdistan to resume oil exports via the pipeline to the Turkish port of Ceyhan, warning that continued disputes could lead to legal action, according to a ministry statement.

The appeal comes amid disruptions in oil supplies from southern producers through the Strait of Hormuz due to rising regional tensions, increasing pressure on Iraq to secure alternative export routes.

The ministry rejected the position of Kurdistan’s Ministry of Natural Resources, stated in mid-March that resuming exports was contingent on meeting several conditions, including restarting production halted by repeated attacks from armed groups on energy facilities and paying salaries to regional public-sector workers. 

Baghdad described Kurdistan’s stance as “politically motivated,” driven by party interests rather than professional or legal considerations related to the oil sector.

Iraq’s ministry said it is working to reactivate the Kirkuk–Ceyhan pipeline within a few days to allow direct exports from Kirkuk. It also proposed temporarily using the link between the Sarlawa station in Kirkuk and Fishkhabour, toward Ceyhan, to export up to 250,000 barrels per day.

“If oil from fields in Iraqi Kurdistan is added, exports could reach around 450,000 barrels per day. This output, given the current high price differential, helps mitigate the impact of the Strait of Hormuz closure,” the statement said.

Under the Iraq–Turkiye Pipeline (ITP) agreement, the ministry emphasised that the pipeline is federal property with a capacity of over one million barrels per day, operated by the federal government, which holds full rights to export oil. “Turkiye has demonstrated readiness to facilitate exports,” the ministry added. Plans for a parallel pipeline are also underway as part of the broader Basra–Haditha project.

Baghdad questioned linking oil exports to salary payments, noting that this falls under the Ministry of Finance and that legal mechanisms for salary distribution have already been proposed. Iraq also defended the ASYCUDA system as a key anti-corruption tool supporting legal trade and foreign currency inflows.

The statement accused Iraqi Kurdistan of violating the constitution, citing provisions that oil and gas fall under federal authority and are considered national assets for all Iraqis under Federal Supreme Court rulings. The Kurdish government was also accused of exploiting the regional situation for its own benefit, creating a “serious and irresponsible risk” harming the country’s economic interests and its people, with the statement calling for parliamentary intervention.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Iranian Media Unveils ‘Lord of the Straits’ Animation Amid Hormuz Tensions

     Iran Drops “Lord of the Straits” Animation — A Chilling Signal Over Hormuz Control March 23, 2026 Iranian state-affiliated media outlets have released a stylized animation titled “Lord of the Straits,” centered on the strategic Strait of Hormuz , as tensions in the region continue to escalate. The animation, which has circulated widely on social media, depicts a dramatized narrative emphasizing Iran’s control and influence over the narrow maritime passage, a critical artery for global oil shipments. While the video does not include official military statements, analysts say its messaging aligns with Tehran’s broader strategic signaling amid the ongoing confrontation involving the United States and its allies. The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly a fifth of the world’s oil trade, making any perceived threat to its security a major concern for global energy markets. Recent weeks have seen heightened rhetoric from multiple sides, including warnings over potential di...
Read more

Did Japan just send Godzilla to the Strait of Hormuz? As global tensions rise, a viral meme captures the chaos of 2026’s geopolitical crisis.

Image
       Godzilla escorts an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz in a viral meme capturing the chaos of rising global tensions in 2026 Japan Deploys Legendary Asset to Secure Strait of Hormuz: Godzilla Now on Escort Duty As tensions surge in the Strait of Hormuz —a critical artery for nearly 20% of global oil—an unexpected viral moment has taken over the internet: Japan has “deployed” Godzilla . What started as a joke is now one of the most shared reactions to a rapidly escalating geopolitical crisis in 2026. Why This Matters The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly 20% of global oil Any disruption impacts fuel prices worldwide Escalation could affect Iraq, Kurdistan, and global markets In a move that has stunned military analysts and delighted meme lords everywhere, Japan has apparently answered the call to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz —by sending its most fearsome maritime guardian straight from the silver screen. A now-viral image shows the King of the Mo...
Read more

U.S.–Iran 45 Day Ceasefire Bid Emerges as War Nears Breaking Point

Image
  ANALYSIS — Last-ditch diplomacy tests limits as U.S.–Iran war nears escalation point.  Backchannel diplomacy scrambles for a 45-day pause as threats escalate and the fate of the region hangs on a rapidly closing window. Kurdish Policy Analysis , April 6 (Analysis) — A flurry of high-stakes diplomacy aimed at halting the U.S.–Iran war has emerged as what officials describe as a “last realistic opportunity” to prevent a far wider regional conflict, even as military threats intensify and timelines compress. At the center of the effort is a proposed 45-day ceasefire , structured as a two-phase process: an initial pause in hostilities followed by negotiations toward a permanent settlement . A narrow diplomatic window The urgency reflects a rapidly closing window. U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed a deadline—extended slightly to Tuesday evening— warning of major strikes if Iran fails to meet key demands, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz , a vital artery for glo...
Read more