Kirkuk, a ticking time bomb on October 8, 2017Iraq’s territories, which are disputed by both Baghdad and Erbil have long been a primary source of contention between Kurds and the Iraqi federal government. Among these territories, Kirkuk is most important one and both Baghdad and Erbil have locked horn over it. The oil-rich Kirkuk province lies outside of the official borders of the […]
Al Qaeda’s gains in Syria on September 16, 2017 While the United States and NATO remains focused on defeating Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq, Al Qaeda in Syria is accumulating strength and territory at an alarming pace and may eventually pose the most daunting counter-terrorism challenge that the US and West has ever faced. Al-Qaeda has reportedly benefited from the US-led […]
Kurdistan will be a success on August 29, 2017Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is all set to carry out a referendum on Kurdistan independence, thus closing a circle which was opened 56 years earlier in the “September revolution” against the Iraqi central government, headed by Abd al-KarimQassim. The feeling of attaining full independence is getting stronger by each passing day in Kurdish areas. Cities, […]
Independent Kurdistan wont be against interest of its neighbours on August 12, 2017Iraqi Kurdistan is standing on the verge of historic proposed referendum for its independence. In an exclusive interview with Manish Rai, editorViewsaround. Kurdistan Foreign Minister Mr Falah Mustafa said that independent Kurdistan will not be against the interest of its neighbours. Mr Mustafa added Kurdistan will pursue the good neighbourly relations based on mutual respect, […]
India balanced approach in Middle East on July 22, 2017The recent visit of Indian premier Narendra Modi marks the first trip of Indian Prime Minister to Israel after 25 years of diplomatic relations. Many analysts see the visit as a clear diplomatic tilt toward Israel after years of India keeping its distance. Israel also gave a lot of importance to this state visit. Only […]
Turkish-Iranian emerging alliance on June 29, 2017Iran and Turkey, the two non-Arab Middle Eastern states, are among the largest and most populous in the region. The former occupies a strategic location on the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, while the latter controls the Straits the Bosporus, the Sea of Marmara, the Dardanelles that link the Black and Aegean Seas. […]
Libya a breeding ground for militants on June 7, 2017THE Libya connection in the Manchester concert suicide bombing and attack on Christians by extremist operating from Libya in Egypt has thrown a light on the threat posed by Jihadists groups that have taken advantage of lawlessness in the troubled North African nation to put down roots, recruit fighters and export militants to cause death […]
Partition will be a disaster for Syria on May 24, 2017 SINCE the creation of de-escalation zones inside Syria with Russia, Iran and Turkey as guarantors the talks for partition of the country is gaining momentum. This idea of de-jure partition of Syria was officially the Plan B of John Kerry, the former US secretary of state which he announced in February, 2016. But at […]
Iran should be dealt with in a different way on February 14, 2017The United States new President Donald Trump decision to quickly slap new sanctions on Iran after it conducted a ballistic missile test clearly signals the hard turn the new administration intends to take with Tehran. Neutralizing the Iranian threat in the Middle East has been an American aim since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Arabs and […]
Kurds cant be ignored in post-war Syria on December 27, 2016The start of the Syrian civil war in 2011 gave the historically marginalised Kurds their first real chance to assert their autonomy and to become a political powerhouse. Syrian Kurdish society now strongly feels that they can reverse the last half-century of assimilationist pressures and revive their cultural heritage and get their political rights. Before […]