Who really controls Kurdistan’s gas? The Dana Gas deal, the KRG’s silence and the hidden cost of selling energy to Iraq

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By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis      A $2.239 billion arbitration settlement, a contract running until 2049, expanded rights for Pearl Petroleum and a new battle over gas sales to Baghdad are raising uncomfortable questions about who ultimately controls Kurdistan’s most strategic natural resource. The latest dispute over Khor Mor gas is exposing a much deeper problem in the Kurdistan Region’s energy sector: the public still does not appear to have a clear picture of who controls the region’s gas, who is authorized to sell it, and how much of its future value has already been committed to private companies. At the center of the controversy is Pearl Petroleum, the consortium led by Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum, and a settlement agreement reached with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on August 30, 2017. Kurdistan Parliament member Kawa Sheikh Ali has now sharply criticized that agreement, asking why a government would effectively commit its natural ...
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Trump Safe After Shooting Scare at White House Correspondents' Dinner; Suspect Detained

 


Security Incident Briefly Disrupts Annual Washington Event, Raising Fresh Questions Over Political Safety

Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj, Sulaimani, Iraq, April 2026  — Donald Trump was unharmed after shots were fired near the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, prompting an immediate security response and the detention of a suspect, according to U.S. authorities.

The incident briefly disrupted one of Washington's most prominent annual political gatherings, where journalists, officials, and public figures had assembled.

Law enforcement quickly secured the area, and officials said there was no ongoing threat. Initial reports indicated the suspect was taken into custody shortly after the gunfire.

Security Response

Witnesses described a rapid deployment of Secret Service and local police, with guests temporarily sheltered while authorities assessed the situation.

Trump, who was attending the event, was immediately moved to a secure location before later being confirmed safe.

Officials have not yet released the suspect's identity or disclosed a possible motive.

Political Climate

The incident comes amid heightened concerns over political violence in the United States, where threats against elected officials and public figures have risen sharply in recent years.

Security around high-profile political events has been significantly strengthened following several recent assassination attempts and attack plots targeting senior American leaders.

Saturday's shooting scare is likely to intensify debate over the security environment surrounding U.S. politics.

Broader Implications

Although the suspect was swiftly apprehended, the episode highlights the increasingly volatile intersection of politics, public life, and personal security in the United States.

For Trump, whose political profile remains uniquely polarizing, the event is certain to reinforce ongoing concerns about candidate protection during a heated election cycle.

What Comes Next

Federal authorities, including the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, are expected to lead the investigation.

More details regarding the suspect, weapon, and motive are likely to emerge in the coming hours.

Tags: #Trump #WhiteHouse #USPolitics #BreakingNews #Security #Washington #ReutersStyle #KurdishPolicyAnalysis

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