Iraq Insights

Noteworthy photo of President Erdogan with the Kurdish leadership. This highly symbolic moment captures the essence of Turkey’s relationship with the KRG, which stretches back to the early 1990s when the KRG was first established and secured its autonomy from Baghdad.

President Barzani receives President Erdogan in Erbil, along with Prime Minister Barzani and Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani.

As we reported in advance of President Erdogan’s visit to Baghdad, Kurdish oil exports through Turkey will not resume and has not been a central feature of Erdogan’s deliberations with Prime Minister Sudani. More here: bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan arrives in Baghdad, welcomed by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani.

President Erdogan’s visit to Iraq will see Iraq and Turkey re-assert their long-standing economic ties, with 20 deals expected to be signed. The visit could see an end to the impasse over Kurdish oil exports but sources in Baghdad believe a solution is not yet on the horizon.

From our sources. *President Erdogan will visit Erbil –– a historic first –– as part of a long-awaited trip to Iraq *Turkey is expected to reinvigorate its relationship with Erbil as part of its wider geopolitical objectives *Kurdish oil exports and the PKK will top the agenda

Prime Minister Sudani's visit to DC *#Iraq signs MOUs in the energy sector, including an agreement on flaring *US approves the possible sale of aircraft support *Sudani meets energy companies in Houston, the chairman of JP Morgan Bank and the president of Lockheed Martin

Prime Minister Sudani's Visit to Washington *President Biden and PM Sudani re-affirmed their shared view that the Kurdistan Region is integral to Iraq’s prosperity. *Sudani and Biden stressed the importance of re-opening the Iraq-Turkiye Pipeline. More: whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/…

Statement on 36th Anniversary of the Anfal Campaign gov.uk/government/new…

The Anfal genocide campaign started 36 years ago today, with the objective of eradicating the Kurdish nation. We will never forget the sacrifices made for our freedom and prosperity.

Accompanied Iraqi Prime Minister @mohamedshia in a meeting with the US President @JoeBiden. Discussed future economic, military and energy ties between USA-Iraq, plus other pressing matters, stressing the crucial need for regional stability.

US troops attacked in Iraq and Syria as west warns of ‘spillover’ from Israel conflict. "Amid concerns over the potential for an intervention by Iran and its allies, Biden has sent two aircraft carriers, other warships & about 2,000 marines to the region." theguardian.com/world/2023/oct…

Turkey Notifies Iraq Of Oil Pipeline Readiness. "The move now places the legal and political burden on Iraq to restart flows, but Baghdad appears in no hurry to do so." mees.com/2023/10/20/geo…

Iran is circling in on Iraqi Kurdistan to exploit its divisions and U.S. inaction. Writing for @ForeignPolicy, I explore its implications, explain why the crisis can be tied to the legacy of U.S. policy on Iraq and offer policies for addressing the crisis. #cookie_message_anchor" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">foreignpolicy.com/2023/09/29/ira…

Tensions have been rising between Kuwait and Iraq after the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court earlier this month ruled an agreement regulating navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway was unconstitutional. arabnews.com/node/2379126/m…

Baghdad's commitment to federalism remains inconsistent. Read this timely analysis for Perspectives by @BurcuAOzcelik on Baghdad's decision to transfer three monthly loans to the KRG. crcouncil.org/post/baghdad-s…

“The agreement signed by Prime Ministers Barzani & Sudani will boost Kurdistan's economy and instil confidence in the energy sector” — read analysis from @KamaranMPalani on recent developments in Kurdistan and Iraq. iraqpolicygroup.org/post/the-arbit…

“While Turkey respects the outcome of the arbitration ruling, it does not mean that Turkey, which has leverage elsewhere and disputes with Baghdad in other areas, will accept and enforce its outcome, or accept defeat.” — @ShwanSharey iraqpolicygroup.org/post/the-arbit…

“The Baghdad-Erbil oil agreement represents a genuine attempt to resolve a long-standing oil dispute and can unify energy policies” — read analysis from @SJabbar81 on Prime Minister Barzani’s visit to Baghdad and the oil agreement that followed. iraqpolicygroup.org/post/the-arbit…

How will Iraq-Kurdistan relations, and Iraq-Turkey relations move forward following recent developments in the energy sector? Read our latest: the Arbitration Ruling and the Erbil-Baghdad Oil Agreement – Reactions from Experts. iraqpolicygroup.org/post/the-arbit…