Abdul El-Sayed defies $60 Million campaign against him, wins Michigan Democratic Senate Primary

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  By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis Despite massive spending by outside groups and high-profile endorsements for his opponent, Abdul El-Sayed secured a decisive Democratic Senate primary victory and now heads into a closely watched November showdown. Abdul El-Sayed has scored one of the most closely watched political upsets of the 2026 election cycle, defeating Representative Haley Stevens in Michigan's Democratic Senate primary despite facing more than $60 million in outside spending , much of it from pro-Israel political groups. The victory marks a significant breakthrough for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and sets up a high-stakes general election contest against Republican Mike Rogers in November. El-Sayed's campaign prevailed even after Stevens received late endorsements from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and influential national Democrats, including Representative James Clyburn . Those endorsements failed to reverse momentum behind El-S...
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Iraq Bets on Najaf “White Gold” to Build Billion-Dollar Mining Future

 


Kurdish Policy Analysis / SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq-- --Baghdad moves to develop high-purity silica reserves in Najaf and Al-Anbar, positioning the country inside global clean energy and semiconductor supply chains.

Iraq is accelerating mining investment in Najaf, promoting high-purity silica sand—known as “white gold”—as a strategic resource for solar panels, semiconductors, and advanced technologies, with reserves potentially reaching 1 billion tons.

Iraq is positioning Najaf as a strategic mining hub, banking on vast reserves of high-purity silica sand—often referred to as “white gold”—to attract investment and expand its industrial base, the Iraqi Geological Survey said on Tuesday.

Officials estimate silica reserves at around 350 million tons, with projections suggesting total deposits across Najaf and Al-Anbar could reach up to 1 billion tons. The material is essential for solar panels, semiconductors, and fiber optics, placing Iraq in a potential upstream position within global clean energy and advanced technology supply chains.

The Geological Survey said it is expanding mining investment under existing legal frameworks to support industrial development and diversify national revenues, highlighting Najaf’s geological and industrial potential. The province also contains limestone, quartz, and industrial sands used in cement, glass, and ceramics production.

Authorities estimate the sector could generate billions of dollars and more than 10,000 jobs, as global demand for silica continues to grow, with the market projected to reach $85.86 billion by 2033.

Iraq also holds additional mineral reserves including sulfur, phosphate, and limestone, reinforcing its long-term ambition to develop a broader extractive and industrial economy.

#Iraq #Mining #Silica #CleanEnergy #SolarEnergy #Semiconductors #Najaf #AlAnbar #Economy #Investment #EnergyTransition

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