Does the Kurdistan Region Need a New Social Contract?

World Service - Amarji Magazine emphasizes that overcoming chronic political crises is only possible by accepting democratic rules, strengthening parliament, and removing security resources and institutions from party control.

Bafel Talabani:

Targeting our nation is not acceptable in any way

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service- Bafel Jalal Talabani, head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, in response to the missile attacks on Sulaymaniyah and the Kurdistan Region, considered this action a clear violation of international law and a deliberate act to escalate tensions, and emphasized: "Targeting our nation is not acceptable in any way." He also warned that restraint should not be interpreted as weakness or inability.

Patriotic Union of Kurdistan:

Democratic Party media have removed Sulaymaniyah from the national security circle

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service- Latif Nirowayi, head of the media board of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, strongly criticized the performance of the media of the Kurdistan Democratic Party in covering the recent attacks, saying that by publishing sensitive information about Sulaymaniyah, these media have acted contrary to the region's media laws and behaved like "enemy media."

The Way to Save the Kurdistan Region from the Crisis

World Service - The current crisis in the Kurdistan Region is the result of three decades of party competition, weak institutions, and the failure of the political unity project; the future of the region depends on the ability of the two main parties to create a system based on the rule of law and independent institutions.

Two Small Governments Within One Region

World Desk – Dunya Bashul, a researcher and analyst specializing in Kurdistan affairs, cites the case of Khurshid Herki to illustrate how the political structure of the Kurdistan Region is characterized by the dominance of partisan and tribal dynamics over official institutions. In her view, after 35 years of self-serving governance, the Region continues to suffer from an absence of the rule of law, a duality of power, and weak state institutions—a situation that has hindered development, investment, and political stability.

Is the Kurdistan Region the Most Security-Centric Governance Structure in the Region?

World Desk – New statistics from the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Finance, republished by the "Kurdistan Watch" institute, present a rare picture of the region's security apparatus, revealing that over 4.4 percent of the population serves in the Peshmerga forces, the police, and the Asayish. This ratio not only far exceeds those of neighboring countries and the European average but also demonstrates that the region's economy, politics, and governance system remain heavily influenced by security considerations and partisan rivalries.

"National Position" MP:

Ali Hama-Salih Has Repeatedly Threatened Me and My Child

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service – Sazgar Fariq, a Kurdistan Region Parliament MP representing the "National Position Movement," announced that she has faced serious threats from Ali Hama-Salih ever since entering parliament, claiming that these threats have endangered both her life and that of her child.

Ali Zaidi:

We Are Deeply Grateful to the KDP and the PUK

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service – Ali Zaidi expressed appreciation for the support shown by Iraqi political parties and institutions—including the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)—for the government's anti-corruption agenda. He emphasized that combating corruption is a national responsibility and affirmed that, despite pressures and challenges, the government will resolutely continue the reform process, the prosecution of corrupt individuals, and the recovery of state assets.

Talabani after meeting Fidan:

We will not become part of regional conflicts

Turkey Desk – Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, announced following his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan that the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) supports the peace process in Turkey and emphasizes the importance of maintaining peace and stability—and avoiding any form of conflict—regarding regional developments.

Al-Sharq al-Awsat: The deadlock in the formation of the regional government has strengthened the possibility of the return of two administrations

Service of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region - "Al-Sharq Al-Awsat" newspaper, in a report referring to the continuation of the deadlock in the formation of the new government of the Kurdistan Region, warned that the continuation of the differences between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union has increased the risk of returning to the "two administration" system.

Behind the Scenes of Mending Ties Between Turkey and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan

World Desk – Relations between Turkey and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)—which had once hit rock bottom following the expulsion of the PUK representative from Ankara, a ban on flights to Sulaymaniyah, and accusations of collaboration with the PKK—are now on the path to recovery. A series of recent meetings between officials from both sides indicates that, amidst shifting regional dynamics, Ankara and Sulaymaniyah have embarked on a new chapter of cooperation.

Agreement Between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the New Generation Movemen

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Desk – Amidst political deadlock and chronic economic challenges in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, two political factions in the region have taken a step toward realigning the balance of power and challenging the traditional ruling structure by signing a strategic agreement. Bafel Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), and Shaswar Abdulwahid, leader of the opposition "New Generation" movement, signed a comprehensive document establishing a new political alliance; the stated goals of this partnership are to end the monopoly on power, ensure transparency regarding oil and non-oil revenues, and secure the payment of outstanding salaries owed to public sector employees.

Patriotic Union of Kurdistan:

None of our ministers or deputy ministers have been implicated in corruption cases.

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service – Latif Nirwayi, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leadership, announced that the names of any ministers or deputy ministers affiliated with the party are absent from the list of those accused of corruption. He emphasized that over the past 23 years, no official affiliated with the PUK in Baghdad has been arrested, dismissed, or deemed unfit for office on charges of corruption.

Qubad Talabani:

We Will Participate in a Government Formed on the Basis of Genuine Partnership

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service – In a meeting with the Green Faction of the Kurdistan Parliament, Qubad Talabani emphasized that the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) would only participate in a government formed on the basis of "genuine partnership," stating that the party poses no obstacle to the formation of the new cabinet.

The Kurdistan Region’s Deepest Political Rift

World Desk – A senior official from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has warned that the ongoing deadlock in forming a new government could once again push the Kurdistan Region toward the separate administration of areas controlled by the two main parties—a situation described as unprecedented since the unification of governing structures in 2006.

Awat Talabani:

If My Brothers Are Guilty, Execute Them

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service – Awat Sheikh Jangi Talabani, sister of Lahur Talabani, has sharply criticized the continued detention of Peshmerga forces loyal to her brother. She demanded an immediate resolution to the case, insisting that if they are guilty, they should be executed; however, if they are not, the "oppression" against their families must end and all detainees must be released.

Aras Talabani demanded that the parties of Sulaimaniye accompany the proposal of the Democratic Party

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service- Aras Talabani, the nephew of Jalal Talabani, supported the recent request of the Kurdistan Democratic Party to activate the parliament, and asked the political parties of Sulaymaniyah to respond positively to this proposal and transfer political disputes and competitions to the parliament. An action that, according to him, can help preserve the climate and prevent the continuation of political deadlock.

Agreement or the beginning of a new stage of confrontation in the Kurdistan Region / Brigadier Johar

Service of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region - At the same time as the deadlock continues in the negotiations between the Democratic Party of Kurdistan and the Patriotic Union to form a new cabinet, new scenarios have been proposed, including the vote of confidence of the new generation without participation in the government, the attempt to separate a part of the Sulaymaniyah and Halabja budgets, the dispute over the share of the presidencies and the proposal to temporarily activate the parliament. Developments that can bring the political equations of the climate to a new stage if the differences continue until the end of next month.

Why is the new government of the Kurdistan Region not formed yet?

World Service - The dispute over the interpretation of the election results, the division of power and the way to revive the parliament has once again strained the relations between the Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union and has left the formation of the 10th cabinet of the region in an aura of uncertainty.

Kurdistan Democratic Party:

A coalition imposed by political pressure will not have a positive result

Service of Iraq and Kurdistan Region - The head of the coordination office of the Kurdistan Democratic Party in Sulaymaniyah said that this party is not willing to accept predetermined conditions and the experience of cooperation with the Patriotic Union was not based solely on the number of seats.

The harsh position of the Kurdistan Democratic Party:

The Patriotic Union has prevented the formation of the 10th cabinet

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service - In continuation of the political tensions between the two main parties of the region, the spokesperson of the Kurdistan Democratic Party issued a detailed statement and accused the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan of "obstructing the process of forming the 10th cabinet" and claimed that this party has prevented the activation of the legal institutions of the region by adopting the approach of "taking time and imposing political will". This statement is published while the government formation negotiations are still deadlocked.

Why is the world's largest mosque established in Erbil?/ Salahuddin Khadio

Iraq Service and the Kurdistan Region - In a note published in two parts on the dedicated channel "Sharnameh" and republished on Kurdpress, Salahuddin Khadio considers the construction of the "Barzani Grand Mosque" in Erbil not just a construction or religious project, but analyzes it in connection with the internal developments of the Kurdistan Region, social changes, party rivalries and geopolitical transformations in the region.

Reducing Washington's attention to the political crisis of the Kurdistan Region

World Service - At the same time as the internal disputes continue, the signs indicate that the US no longer prioritizes the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government and focuses more on Baghdad; A change that observers believe has also affected the continuation of the political deadlock in Erbil.

Emphasis of the Patriotic Union on the formation of regional government based on real participation

Service of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region - The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan once again emphasized the necessity of forming a new cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government on the basis of "real participation" among political forces and announced that in the negotiations for the formation of the government, it will demand a share commensurate with its political and parliamentary position.

Türkiye's new game in the political scene of the Kurdistan region

World Service - The warming of relations between Ankara and the Patriotic Union of Iraqi Kurdistan has increased speculations about the change of Türkiye's traditional policy towards the climate. However, analysts say the Kurdistan Democratic Party will remain Türkiye's most important strategic partner in Iraq.

Washington's farewell to the crises of Kurdistan region

Service of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region - the Kurds may lose the support of the United States forever; This is the message of Victoria Taylor, the former official of the US Department of State for Iraq and Iran affairs for the Kurds. In his latest statements, he paints a disturbing picture of the future of the Kurdistan region.

Kurdistan Democratic Party:

The claim of handing over the Ministry of Interior to the Patriotic Union is baseless

Service of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region - a member of the political office of the Democratic Party while denying the speculations about the involvement of the Ministry of Interior, said that the relations with the Patriotic Union continue, but the final agreement has not been reached yet.

Ali Hame Saleh:

With foreign pressure, the Patriotic Union and Democrats of Kurdistan are moving towards the formation of the government

Service of Iraq and Kurdistan Region - The head of the Patriotic Position Movement claimed that despite months of elections, the pressure of another country has accelerated the negotiations to form a government between the two main parties of the region.

Mullah Bakhtiar in response to Bafel Talabani:

I will not sell our shared history and my political ethics have not allowed the disclosure of secrets.

Service of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region - Mullah Bakhtiar, a former member of the Leadership Council of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, in response to Bafel Talabani's congratulatory letter on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the party, referring to "unspoken secrets" and criticizing the atmosphere of propaganda against him, called the current leadership of the party to review historical experiences.

Ari Harsin:

The rulers of Sulaymaniyah must respect the true will of the people

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service - Ari Harsin, head of the fourth branch of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, on the anniversary of the June 9, 1963 massacre in Sulaymaniyah, emphasized that Sulaymaniyah has never surrendered to injustice, demanded to respect the will of the people and provide more space for freedom of speech and journalism.