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

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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...
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What Happens If Iraq Fails to Elect a President?

 A political standoff in Iraq could trigger a full government paralysis—delaying the formation of a cabinet, deepening Kurdish–Arab tensions, and opening the door to constitutional uncertainty.


Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj, Sulaimani, Iraq, April 10, 2026

In Iraq, the election of a president is not just a ceremonial step—it is a constitutional gateway to forming a new government. When parliament fails to reach agreement, the entire political system can stall.

At the center of this process is the Council of Representatives of Iraq, which is responsible for electing the president. Without this vote, Iraq cannot move forward with naming a prime minister or forming a cabinet.

So what actually happens if the process fails?

1. Government Formation Comes to a Halt

If no candidate secures the required majority in parliament, Iraq enters a political freeze:

  • No president is elected
  • No prime minister can be formally designated
  • No cabinet can be approved

This means the outgoing government continues in a “caretaker” role with limited authority.

2. Constitutional Deadlines Begin to Matter

Iraq’s constitution outlines timelines for forming a government after elections. However, repeated failures to elect a president can push the system into a grey zone where:

  • Deadlines are missed
  • Political blocs reinterpret constitutional limits
  • Legal disputes escalate between rival factions

At this stage, the crisis becomes not just political—but constitutional.

3. Rising Political Fragmentation

Failure to elect a president often exposes deep divisions between major political blocs, including Kurdish, Sunni, and Shiite parties.

Instead of compromise, Iraq risks:

  • Parallel negotiations outside parliament
  • Boycotts of key sessions
  • Competing claims to legitimacy

This weakens national unity and increases regional bargaining politics.

4. Impact on Security and Economy

A prolonged deadlock affects more than politics:

  • Foreign investment slows due to uncertainty
  • Budget approvals are delayed
  • Security coordination becomes fragmented
  • Public services face funding gaps

In a country still rebuilding institutions, even short delays can have long-term consequences.

5. Worst-Case Scenario: Institutional Paralysis

If no compromise is reached, Iraq could face:

  • Extended caretaker government rule
  • Constitutional reinterpretation by political actors
  • Increased street protests or political pressure
  • External influence growing in domestic politics

While Iraq’s system is designed to prevent collapse, repeated deadlocks test its resilience.

Conclusion

Failing to elect a president in Iraq is not just a procedural delay—it is a stress test of the entire political system. Each missed vote deepens uncertainty, weakens trust between blocs, and pushes the country closer to institutional paralysis.

The coming parliamentary sessions will therefore decide not just who governs Iraq—but whether its current political framework can continue to function at all.

#Iraq #IraqPolitics #MiddleEast #PoliticalCrisis #Baghdad #Kurdistan #IraqiParliament #GovernmentFormation #ConstitutionalCrisis #Geopolitics

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