Kurdish Policy Analysis

By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis   One of the more revealing consequences of the recent war in Iran has been the subtle transformation in how the Islamic Republic presents itself to its own society. State media has increasingly showcased women in patriotic and military imagery—including women who openly support the state without adhering to traditional hijab expectations—signaling a broader shift in official messaging.  Faced with external pressure and regional confrontation, Iran appears to be constructing a more inclusive national identity rooted less in religious symbolism and more in patriotism and state cohesion. This evolution reflects a wider regional trend: across the Middle East, political Islam is losing its dominance as governments increasingly turn toward nationalism as a new source of legitimacy. From revolutionary ideology to pragmatic statecraft, the Middle East may be entering the post-political Islam era—where nationalism, security, and economic...

  By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj Sulaimani, Iraqi Kurdistan — 22 May 2026 What’s next for Iran? Iranian Kurds envision a political transition to federalism when the war is over. Kurds in Iran number about 12 million, living in remote regions of Iranian Kurdistan bordering Iraq and Turkey (Rojhelati Kurdistan). Kurds and other minorities prefer a decentralized federal system of government that provides local control over economy, government and culture. Iranian Kurds have recently met to consider federal power sharing as an antidote to Tehran’s tyranny. Iranian Kurds from the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran, Komala, and other Kurdish parties view federalism as an effective way to promote minority rights. About half of Iran’s population is made up of minority groups, including Azeris, Kurds, and Baloch. Adopting a federal constitution would be a form of regime change that advances democracy and conflict resolution. Changing Iran’s constitutional structure requires legal reform, which can o...