Posts

Showing posts with the label Gulf States

From the shadows to supreme power: why Iran chose Ahmad Vahidi to lead its confrontation with the United States

Image
By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis Who Is Ahmad Vahidi? The Secretive IRGC Commander now shaping Iran's confrontation with the United States From the founding of the Quds Force to commanding the Revolutionary Guards, Ahmad Vahidi's rise signals a new era in Iran's military-led decision-making. As Tehran braces for a prolonged confrontation with Washington, one of Iran's most secretive and hardline military figures has emerged at the center of power—signaling a dramatic shift in how the Islamic Republic intends to wage its geopolitical struggle. Who is Ahmad Vahidi? Explore the rise of Iran's IRGC commander and how his growing influence could reshape Tehran's strategy toward the United States and the Middle East. For decades, Ahmad Vahidi remained largely behind the scenes, shaping Iran's military doctrine and regional strategy away from the public spotlight. Today, however, he stands at the heart of Iran's national security apparatus, overs...
Post a Comment
Read more

From war to trade: how the Abrahamic Agreements are redrawing the Middle East's strategic map

Image
  By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis   As geopolitical rivalries evolve, the Abrahamic Agreements are transforming regional diplomacy from military confrontation toward economic integration, strategic partnerships, and new trade corridors that could reshape the Middle East's balance of power. From War to Trade: Strategic Dimensions of Abrahamic Agreements In recent years, the Middle East has undergone important political and diplomatic turning points, most notably the signing of the so-called "Abrahamic Agreements," agreements between a number of Arab countries and Israel with the consent and supervision of the United States. However, these agreements caused a lot of controversy in political, cultural and religious circles. While some see it as an opportunity to strengthen stability and economic cooperation in the region, others see it as contrary to historical positions on the Palestinian cause and unconditional normalization with Israel. Since 1948, the Ara...
Post a Comment
Read more

Baghdad's Strategic Reorientation: Is Iraq Turning Away from Iran and Back Toward the Arab World?

Image
By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis As Iraq deepens economic and diplomatic ties with Gulf Arab states, Baghdad is pursuing a more balanced foreign policy while carefully managing its enduring relationship with Iran. The Iraqi government is intensifying diplomatic movements towards the Gulf countries, coinciding with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's expected visit to the United States. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein paid a visit to Kuwait with a delegation that included the National Security Advisor, the governor of Basra and senior Foreign Ministry officials. The aim of the visit is to "discuss the development of relations with Kuwait in a way that strengthens the interests of the two brotherly peoples," Hussein said in a post on X. Hours after his arrival, Hussein announced in a separate statement that Kuwaiti authorities had agreed to release the Iraqi fishermen detained by the coast guard last week, explaining that they would return t...
Post a Comment
Read more

How Gulf Arab States Lost the Information War Against Iran — And What the Kurdistan Regional Government Must Learn

Image
  Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj    | Sulaimani, Iraq | 09 May 2026  -- Military success without narrative dominance exposed a strategic weakness across the Gulf. For the Kurdistan Regional Government and Iraq, the next regional conflict may be decided as much online as on the battlefield. How Gulf Arab States Lost the Information War Against Iran — And What the Kurdistan Regional Government Must Learn? The recent confrontation involving Iran, Israel, the United States, and the Gulf monarchies revealed a reality that many governments in the Middle East continue to underestimate: modern wars are no longer fought only with missiles, drones, and air defense systems. They are fought simultaneously through narratives, perception management, digital ecosystems, and psychological operations. While Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states demonstrated considerable military resilience against Iranian drone and missile attacks, they largely failed to dominate the information bat...
Post a Comment
Read more

Popular posts from this blog

Lindsey Graham Passing Reshapes Republican Foreign Policy—and Raises Questions for the Kurds

Image
  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...
Read more

Lindsey Graham's Death Leaves a Void in US-Kurdish Relations

Image
  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...
Read more

Can the stateless Nation of Kurdistan help save the Global Order?

Image
By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj A new geopolitical analysis argues that Kurdistan's experience of survival, mediation, and pragmatic diplomacy offers unexpected lessons as the international order faces its deepest crisis since World War II. A new geopolitical analysis argues Kurdistan's experience offers vital lessons for rebuilding international order amid the Iran war and global instability. As the World Fragments, Kurdistan Offers an Unexpected Lesson The international system is under unprecedented strain.  Russia's war in Ukraine, escalating tensions between Iran and the West, the paralysis of the United Nations, and growing competition among major powers have raised a fundamental question: Who still defines the rules of international order? According to a new geopolitical analysis by Greg Mills and Basil Gavalas , the answer may not come from Washington, Moscow, Beijing, or Brussels—but from an unlikely place: Iraq's Kurdistan Region . While lacking international r...
Read more