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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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Kurdish Fighter’s Flag Controversy Explodes Across Iraq After Defeat in Dubai Cage Match

  By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj Sulaimani, Iraqi Kurdistan — 27 May 2026 A PFL MENA tournament meant to showcase Arab sporting power has instead ignited a furious debate over nationalism, Kurdish identity, and the politics of flags.  Iraqi Kurdish fighter Harda Karim sparked outrage after appearing to conceal the Iraqi flag and raising only the Kurdistan flag at a Dubai MMA event. The controversy has reignited debates over nationalism, Kurdish identity, and soft power politics in Iraq. A Cage Fight Turned Into a Political Earthquake What should have been a routine mixed martial arts event in Dubai has rapidly evolved into one of the most politically charged sporting controversies Iraq has seen this year. At the center of the storm is Kurdish fighter Harda Karim , whose appearance at the PFL MENA 9: Pride of Arabia tournament triggered outrage across Iraqi social media after viewers noticed what appeared to be an attempt to conceal the Iraqi flag on his shorts before later raisin...
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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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Trump warns Iran: 'Pickaxe Mountain' nuclear site is next

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  By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj The U.S. president says Iran's previously untouched Pickaxe Mountain facility could soon become Washington's next military target, raising fears of another round of conflict in the Middle East. Donald Trump signals a possible U.S. strike on Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site, escalating tensions over Tehran's nuclear ambitions. A New Nuclear Flashpoint Emerges Just weeks after the latest confrontation between Washington and Tehran, President Donald Trump has hinted that the United States may launch another military strike—this time targeting Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility . Speaking during an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt , Trump described the underground complex as a likely military objective. "Pickaxe is a possible target for a nice big fat shot right near the front door." He added that U.S. intelligence has been closely monitoring the site and suggested military action could come "r...
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