On this day in history: Iraq invades Kuwait

Kuwait, 1990 — Four divisions of the Iraqi Republican Guard and Iraqi Army SF units flood into Kuwait. Airports are seized, fighters are screaming overhead, and Kuwait forces are quickly overwhelmed. Kuwait aircraft are shot from the sky, and almost their entire Navy is sunk. Some Kuwaiti forces have more success than others in delaying […]

Kurdish political parties are re-electing current Ministers of Parliament

In total the various Kurdish political parties have nominated a total of 24 Ministers of Parliament (MP) to return to office post-election. While many have claimed they do not wish to return to office, they have been nominated for the task yet again regardless. A total of six were nominated by the Patriotic Union of […]

A growing number of villages in Kirkuk, Iraq are being evacuated

Since Kirkuk was turned over to Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and paramilitary militias in October 2017, a total of 30 villages in the region have been evacuated; either because of the threat of Islamic State insurgents or anti-Kurdish sentiments. The mayor of Dibis, a territory within the Kirkuk region, Abdullah Nuradin told local media that, There are […]

United States envoy works with Iraqi leaders to secure future government

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani met with Envoy Brett McGurk this week to discuss the obligation for “more serious dialogue”  in regards to the new Iraqi government being formed by the freshly elected parliament members. Both men understood and were adamant about “the need for more serious dialogue among political parties for the formation of a […]

Oil pirates in Kurdistan

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is resolute in solving the issue of illegal oil refineries operating within the Iraqi-Kurdistan region. The Ministry of Oil and Gas released a statement that read, These refineries have caused great damage to the environment and health. Examples from Erbil and Sulaimani were discussed where refineries have caused great damage […]

Kurdish Peshmerga are added to next year’s National Defense Authorization Act

The Kurdish Peshmerga military forces have been added to the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Peshmerga had been left out of an earlier draft, and this had drawn concern from various parties, citing Iraq’s withholding of Kurdish shares in the past. On several occasions, the Iraqi government has withheld U.S. aid from Kurdistan’s military […]

Iraq’s electrical grid needs further improvement

Iraq is in serious turmoil. There have been nationwide protests over the lack of jobs, clean water, and a stable power grid — the situation is approaching a tipping point. The capital city of Baghdad is presently exporting more electricity than it ever has previously, according to officials from the Ministry of Electricity. Baghdad’s public […]

Iraq is finally taking action as protests and public dissent continue to build

A lump sum of $15 million is being extracted from the Iraqi government’s emergency budget for crisis containment solutions — specifically regarding the out of control protests and widespread chaos currently engulfing southern Iraq. Iraq’s Council of Ministers, chaired by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, determined that $2.5 million should be earmarked for the port city […]

The United States is still working to modernize the Kurdish Peshmerga

According to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Ministry of Peshmerga, the United States will be assisting in the inclusion of two new Peshmerga brigades this year; they will be providing weapons, training, and vehicles. The Ministry’s secretary general, Lieutenant General Jabar Yawar, told local Kurdish media that, “Many times, due to disclosing the type and amount […]

Japan will be reworking Iraqi-Kurdistan’s electrical grid over the next 10 years

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) intends to improve its electrical grid through partnerships with Japanese agencies, organizations, and companies. The news comes only a week after the KRG admitted that the autonomous region was suffering from crippling power outages that needed to be remedied promptly. The KRG Prime Minister stated that, We are thanking the […]

Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi discusses protests while officials accuse Sadr in playing a part

A delegation met with Iraq’s sitting Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi to discuss the protests and future of Najaf this week. Prime Minister Abadi expressed support for peaceful protesting and condemned anyone who was using the public outcry to commit vandalism, further injuring the country. Abadi’s office released a statement saying, The head of the council of […]