kurdpress

Bakhtiar Sadjadi, University Professor and Socio-cultural Commentator :

Another Golden Chapter in Kurdish Diplomacy; Italy Glorifies President Nechirvan Barzani with Its Highest Honour

There are ceremonies that mark an occasion, and there are ceremonies that mark a historic moment; what happened in Erbil on 8 July was unmistakably the latter. Italy conferred its highest state distinction, the Grand Cross Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy, on Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, an honour presented by Ambassador Niccolò Fontana on behalf of the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella. It capped, in a single gesture, more than two decades of quietly accumulating ties between Erbil and Rome. The awarding of this highly precious medal landed at a moment when Kurdistan's political institutions could use precisely this kind of reassurance from international scenes.

Revisiting the British Bombing of Iraqi Kurdistan a Century Ago

World News Desk – A 48-minute documentary by Britain’s Channel 4, drawing on historical documents and eyewitness accounts, sheds light on a policy in which London—following World War I and despite promises of independence to the Kurds—deployed the Royal Air Force to bomb Kurdish-inhabited areas and suppress Kurdish uprisings in order to safeguard its interests in Iraq.

Erdogan:

I Hope for a Positive Decision on F-35 Fighter Jets at the NATO Summit

Turkey Service – Following a meeting with Donald Trump, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed hope for a resolution to the F-35 fighter jet issue, stating that he expects a positive decision to be reached at the NATO summit. Trump also indicated that there is a possibility of lifting CAATSA sanctions against Turkey and that the matter of F-35 sales would be reviewed.

Murat Karayılan:

The Turkish government must not categorize PKK forces into "criminals" and "non-criminals."

Turkey Desk – Senior PKK commander Murat Karayılan rejected the classification of guerrilla forces into "criminals" and "non-criminals" and called for the establishment of a "Truth and Justice Commission," emphasizing that an impartial examination of all past violence is a prerequisite for advancing the peace process and resolving the Kurdish issue.

What benefit does Macron's trip to Syria hold for the Kurds?

World Service – Contrary to the expectations of some Kurdish circles, Emmanuel Macron's visit to Damascus is unlikely to mark a turning point in French support for Syrian Kurds. An analysis by *National Context* indicates that diminishing Western influence, Turkey's prominent role, and shifting European priorities have tied Paris's hands regarding practical support for the Kurds.

Politico:

The Kurdish Issue Has Dropped Off NATO’s Agenda

World Service – Citing NATO diplomats, Politico reports that following the PKK disarmament process, the Kurdish issue—which for years had been a point of contention between Turkey and some of its allies—is now rarely raised at the alliance's meetings.

Who Runs the UAE? / Delshad Majid

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Desk – The United Arab Emirates, which stepped in to fill the global commercial and financial void left after Hong Kong ceased to be under British rule, has now—in a strategic shift—become the primary hub for Israeli corporate operations in the region; a presence that, according to some observers, has placed the country's sensitive security and financial sectors under Tel Aviv's control.

Implications of the PKK's Major Withdrawal from the Kurdistan Region

World Desk – Following the PKK's withdrawal from Turkey's border areas, reports now indicate the evacuation of Gara—one of the group's most critical strategic hubs—a move many view as a sign that the peace process has reached a point of no return.