Delovan Barwari, PhD

Claim of handing US weapons to #Kurds denied by ALL Kurdish parties, including KRG. Journalists asked @POTUS & @SecRubio to name recipients—no answer. Kurds span 4 countries, 100+ parties—specify which group! 30 yrs of security partnership proves their trustworthiness as top ally

@marklevinshow Mr. Levin, claims the US gave weapons to the Kurds have been denied by all Kurdish parties, including the KRG. Journalists asked Trump & Rubio for clarification—no answer. This is likely false or a misunderstanding. Kurds remain the most reliable US ally & key to countering Iran.

@realDonaldTrump/116550322160378420" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTru…

Retired UK Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon: “Energy security is another critical factor. Kurdistan’s oil pipeline to Turkey is a strategic asset, particularly in a scenario where the Strait of Hormuz becomes compromised. At a time when global energy routes are increasingly vulnerable, this northern corridor offers an alternative that is both practical and politically significant.”

My latest for the @GulfIntlForum is out today. @Iraq has all the formal attributes of a state, but not the one that matters most; a monopoly on the use of force within its own territory. Since the outbreak of the Iran–U.S.–Israel war, that gap has become impossible to ignore. The PMF draws its salary from #Baghdad and takes its orders from Tehran. Over 500 attacks have been launched from or inside Iraq since late February, by forces the prime minister explicitly told to stand down. Sovereignty Without Control: Iraq’s Dual Power Crisis in a Regional War. gulfif.org/sovereignty-wi…

Some thoughts from @SafwanAmin and me on the nomination of Ali al-Zaidi. As Iraq's new PM, he faces enormous challenges: rogue militias, severe economic strain, and navigating a foreign policy with both the United States and Iran that is becoming increasingly difficult to balance. More than that, Zaidi will contend with a growing crisis of legitimacy in the very political system that brought him to power. atlanticcouncil.org/dispatches/can…

EU Foreign Policy Chief Kallas warns: “Iran’s missile program, support for armed groups, and ‘hybrid activities’ & cyberattacks on Europe”… If unaddressed, we’ll face a far more dangerous Iran.

American Ambassadors are supposed to defend U.S. policy in their host countries, not defend their hosts against U.S. policy. Tom Barrack could use a reminder. wsj.com/opinion/tom-ba… via @WSJopinion

Iran-backed PMF militias carried out 700+ attacks on U.S. & KRG interests in Kurdistan, yet Sudani failed to even name those responsible. Operating with impunity, PMF militias have entrenched deep power across Iraq’s government, security, and economy. A MUST‑read

US Treasury designates 7 Iran-backed Iraqi militia commanders as terrorists @BridgetKToomey in FDD's @LongWarJournal: fdd.org/analysis/2026/…

PRIME MINISTER SUDANI EIGHT BIG LIES ! NEWSWEEK ARTICLE 1. “Iraq is stable” → FALSE. Iraq remains an unstable with security controlled by Iran proxy militias under the Popular Mobilization Forces. 2. “The state controls all armed forces” → FALSE. The PMF operate as a state inside a state receiving orders from the IRGC, Sudani have ZERO control over the PMF. 3. “Balanced U.S.–Iran policy” → FALSE. Iran’s grip on Iraq’s political and security system is deep and entrenched. 4. “Reliable U.S. partner” → ABSURD. Iran-backed militias inside Iraq have repeatedly targeted U.S. forces and interests and Sudani proven powerless. 5. “Open for U.S. investment” → BIG LIE. Corruption, militia targeting, continue to drive investors away such as targeting US oil companies in Kurdistan and halting production. 6. “Functioning democracy” → FICTION. Low turnout less than 18%, intimidation, judicial corruption targeting dissidents and weak institutions undermine any real legitimacy. 7. “Regional stabilizer” → BIG LIE. Iraqi militia targeted every country in the region including Iraqi institution and Kurdistan, and Iraq remains a battlefield for Iranian aggressions, not a stabilizing force. 8. “Full sovereignty restored” → BIG LIE. The Iraqi state is controlled by Tehran, heavily armed PMF controls the state on behalf of Iran. newsweek.com/iraq-pm-al-sud…

Significant: “April 8 ambush of U.S. diplomats in Baghdad.” That’s an attack by Iran—these militias operate under its direction—targeting U.S. diplomats on the first day of an alleged ceasefire with the U.S.

I am deeply saddened by the news of a drone attack on the residence of a Peshmerga family in Erbil, which resulted in the martyrdom of him and his wife. I condemn this heinous crime in the strongest terms and denounce its perpetrators. The targeting of civilians and civilian homes is a war crime. We will convey the voice of the victims to the international community to help end the oppression and the unjustified attacks against the people of the Kurdistan Region.

I condemn and denounce in the strongest terms the cowardly drone attack on the residence of @IKRPresident Nechirvan Barzani in Duhok. Once again, we call on the federal government to act on its responsibility, bring these outlaw criminals to justice, and curb the continued terrorist attacks carried out by these groups. I also call on the international community and our friends to support the Kurdistan Region in protecting its citizens and safeguarding the interests of the Kurdistan Region. We reserve every right to confront these terrorists, and we will take whatever steps are necessary to protect the Kurdistan Region.

هێرشی ترسنۆکانەی درۆنی بۆ سەر ماڵی بەڕێز نێچیرڤان بارزانی سەرۆکی هەرێمی کوردستان لە شاری دهۆک، بە توندترین شێوە سەرکۆنە و شەرمەزار دەکەین و جارێکی دیکە داوا لە حکومەتی فیدراڵ دەکەین لە ئاستی بەرپرسیاریەتیدا بن و ئەم تاوانبارە لە یاسا دەرچووانە، ڕووبەڕووی یاسا بکەنەوە و سنوورێک بۆ بەردەوامیی هێرشە تیرۆریستییەکانی ئەم گرووپانە دابنێن. داوا لە کومەڵگەی نێودەوڵەتی و دۆستەکانمان دەکەین یارمەتی هەرێمی کوردستان بدەن بۆ پاراستنی هاووڵاتییان و بەرژەوەندییەکانی هەرێمی کوردستان. هەموو مافێکمان بۆ ڕووبەڕووبوونەوەی ئەم تیرۆریستانە هەیە و هەر هەنگاوێک پێویست بێت بۆ پاراستنی هەرێمی کوردستان دەگرینە بەر.

Today @SecRubio spoke with Kurdish Regional Government Prime Minister @MasrourBarzani to offer condolences to the families of the Peshmerga killed in terrorist attacks. The United States strongly condemns continued attacks by Iran and its terrorist militias in Iraq against civilian infrastructure in Iraq, the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, and across the Middle East.

I spoke with Secretary @SecRubio. He expressed his condolences on the recent loss of six Peshmerga. We reaffirmed our strong KRG–US relationship. We also discussed relations between the Kurdistan Region and the Federal Government, and economic challenges.

Today at Erbil Citadel, in the presence of President Barzani, we lit the Newroz fire. Throughout history, the people of Kurdistan have stood against oppression and never bowed to tyrants. Happy Newroz and Kurdish New Year -mb.

Wise demand by Iranian Kurds. After U.S. used Syrian Kurds to defeat ISIS & then essentially abandoned them when the new Shara regime took power, other Kurd groups need to make their demands up front before getting entangled.

Important points from @MylesCaggins: If activating the Kurdish militias against the Iranian regime is the decision, the U.S. must not waiver under pressure from regional capitals nor abandon Kurdish partners. “Temporary and transactional” will not suffice, this time.

From @SecRubio: Affirmed U.S. support for a Syria that “protects the rights of all its ethnic and religious minority groups.” Also stressed “implementing the permanent ceasefire and integration agreement in northeast Syria.” state.gov/releases/offic…