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Showing posts with the label Kirkuk

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

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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...
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Why Article 140 remains the key to resolving Kirkuk's disputed status

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  By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj / Kurdish Policy Analysis Nearly two decades after Iraq's Constitution mandated a roadmap for Kirkuk's future, Article 140 remains unimplemented, leaving one of the country's most strategic and contested provinces at the center of political conflict. Article 140 remains Iraq's constitutional roadmap for resolving Kirkuk's disputed status, but years of political deadlock have left the process incomplete. A Constitutional Promise Yet to Be Fulfilled Few issues in Iraq have generated as much political debate as the future of Kirkuk. Known for its vast oil reserves and extraordinary ethnic diversity, the province has long been claimed by competing political forces. Kurds describe Kirkuk as the "heart of Kurdistan," many Turkmen regard it as the historic center of Iraq's Turkmen community, while many Arab political parties insist it should remain under Baghdad's administration. To resolve these competing claims peacefully,...
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Kirkuk's entry into Turkic Municipal Union sparks political debate over transparency and constitutional status

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  By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj / Kurdish Policy Analysis Kirkuk's Entry Into Turkic Municipal Union Sparks Political Debate Over Transparency and Constitutional Status Provincial officials welcome potential investment opportunities but demand details of agreements reached in Ankara, while Kurdish leaders insist Kirkuk's future can only be decided through Article 140 of Iraq's Constitution. Kirkuk's membership in the Union of Turkish World Municipalities has triggered debate over transparency, investment, and the province's disputed constitutional status. Kirkuk Joins Turkic Municipal Union Kirkuk's admission to the Union of Turkish World Municipalities (TDBB) has opened a new political debate in Iraq, with provincial officials seeking greater transparency over commitments made during Governor Mohammed Seman Agha's recent visit to Ankara. While supporters see the move as an opportunity to attract investment and deepen cooperation with Turkey, critics argue th...
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KDP returns to Kirkuk Council: is a new power-sharing era beginning in Iraq's most contested city?

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  By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj Kurdish Policy Analysis After nearly two years of boycott, the Kurdistan Democratic Party's return could reshape Kurdish politics, ethnic power-sharing, and the future governance of Kirkuk. The KDP has ended its two-year boycott of Kirkuk's Provincial Council, a move that could reshape power-sharing and political stability. The Kurdistan Democratic Party's (KDP) decision to end its nearly two-year boycott of the Kirkuk Provincial Council marks one of the most important political developments in the disputed province since the formation of its local government in 2024. While the announcement appears procedural on the surface, it signals a broader recalibration of Kurdish politics and could open the door to greater political stability in one of Iraq's most contested cities. Since the provincial elections, Kirkuk has remained at the centre of Iraq's ethnic and political competition. The KDP rejected the inaugural council session held in Baghd...
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Iraq moves to expand oil exports through Türkiye as Baghdad revives strategic Ceyhan corridor

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  Senior Iraqi energy officials have opened negotiations with Türkiye to increase crude exports through the Iraq-Türkiye Pipeline, signalling Baghdad's determination to diversify export routes, restore Kirkuk-Ceyhan flows, and strengthen energy security amid regional instability. By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis Iraq is negotiating with Türkiye to expand crude oil exports through the Iraq-Türkiye Pipeline, aiming to boost export capacity and strengthen energy security. Baghdad Revives a Strategic Energy Lifeline Iraq has renewed efforts to transform the Iraq-Türkiye Pipeline into one of its principal energy export corridors, opening fresh negotiations with Ankara aimed at expanding crude oil flows to the Mediterranean. The discussions reflect Baghdad's broader strategy of reducing vulnerability to regional instability while restoring export capacity from northern Iraq following years of political disputes, security threats, and infrastructure disruptions. ...
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Lindsey Graham Passing Reshapes Republican Foreign Policy—and Raises Questions for the Kurds

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

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

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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...
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