... long-term diplomatic influence concentrated in more stable geographic regions than on direct military engagement
In an initiative that goes beyond conventional diplomacy, the United States opened a sizeable consulate building in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, on Wednesday, December 3. This opening has significant political and security ramifications and occurs at a pivotal moment in the context of the region. As stated in the
U.S. National Security Strategy 2026
, the event represents a purposeful ...
... instance, their
support
of Iraq's current constitution two decades ago enabled it to overcome Sunni disagreements. To gain more political clout, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the two ruling parties in Iraqi Kurdistan,
ran
together in 2010. Four years later, Nouri Al-Maliki was overthrown as prime minister thanks to an
agreement
between Haidar Al-Abadi and the Kurds. This time, none of those scenarios exist; in fact, since the Ba'ath Party's government ...
... Government (KRG) are marking an
agreement
to resume oil exports via Turkey. An obvious prerequisite to addressing
long-standing disagreements
over civil servant salaries in the semi-autonomous region is the agreement, which permits crude
pumped
in Iraqi Kurdistan to flow northward under federal supervision. The agreement is precarious, though, as
observers
caution that specifics that have not yet been revealed could cause the agreement to fall apart.
In a post on Twitter/X on September 25, Iraqi ...
... Abdulbasit Abdulkareem:
Relationship in Crisis: Identifying Strategies for Kurdistan and Iraq to Re-establish Cooperation in the Context of Energy Dependency
Iraq agreed to use Turkey to transport some of its oil from the Kurdish north (now known as the Iraqi Kurdistan Region) due to strategic and economic reasons. Oil exports through the Persian Gulf were disrupted during the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988), but the deal was successful in expanding Iraq's strategic alternatives for oil exporting. Turkey ...
Russian Oil Companies Return to post-Saddam Iraq
Russian energy companies in Iraq have maintained their presence in the country regardless of the political forces in power, working within the current domestic political situation. Prior to the Syrian campaign of 2015, which was assumed to mark Russia’s active return to the Middle East, the Government of Iraq had already signed large contracts with LUKOIL, Gazprom Neft and Bashneft. Rosneft made its dynamic and massive entry into Iraq following...
Working Paper #46 / 2019
This working paper looks into the complex issue of Russia–Iraq relations. It provides a detailed analysis of the foundations of the bilateral ties between the two countries, Russia’s approach to the Kurdish issue, and the future of cooperation between Russia and Iraq now that both countries have completed their respective electoral cycles.
After the Caliphate: The Prospects of Russia–Iraq Relations
, 3.8 Mb
... a lot of attention to stabilization in Iraq through promoting dialog with all the parties involved. Professor Dlawer Ala’Aldeen, President of the Middle East Research Institute, shares his thoughts on Russia–Iraq relations, Russia’s ties with Iraqi Kurdistan and the importance of joint economic projects.
How will Russia-Iraq relations evolve once the new government is formed?
Ruslan Mamedov:
Putin Eyes Visit to Baghdad Amid Growing Russian-Iraqi Contacts
The new government in Baghdad was ...
On September 18, 2018, Professor Dlawer Ala’Aldeen, the Founding President of the Middle East Research Institute (MERI) in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, visited Russian International Affairs Council.
On September 18, 2018, Professor Dlawer Ala’Aldeen, the Founding President of the Middle East Research Institute (
MERI
) in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, visited Russian International Affairs Council.
The guest from Iraq got acquainted with RIAC projects on the Middle East, and also discussed...
... the highest-level political leaders and contacts among “unofficial players” in the region.
Based on Maximov’s recent meetings, one can see Moscow’s attempts to maintain contacts with virtually all important actors — from major politicians in Iraqi Kurdistan such as Massoud Barzani, Iraqi Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers
Mahdi al-Alaq
, Vice President
Nouri al-Maliki
and National Wisdom Movement leader
Ammar al-Hakim
, among many others.
Therefore, while Russia’s strategy ...
... return to the Middle East and the increasing role that Kurdish political forces are playing in the region, Moscow has started to shape its “Kurdish policy”. In addition, over the last year, Russia’s energy companies have boosted their presence in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Old Comrades
Russia has traditionally maintained contacts with Kurdish political forces in various parts of the region. The unresolved Kurdish question periodically affected the agenda in Moscow. Since the late XIX century, Russia has ...
