After 4 years of political & security turbulence, Iraq has now turned a new page with plenty of cautious optimism for 2019. Evolution of events & predictions for the new year.

By failing to reach an agreement to form an electoral alliance, the Kurdistan Region’s opposition parties missed a golden opportunity to shake up the duopoly of the KDP and PUK’s power.

In the run-up to this month’s parliamentary elections (12 May), the Kurdish parties are running individually, but in the Iraqi-controlled disputed territories they act differently.

Given the institutionalized nature of corruption in Iraq, fighting it will prove substantially difficult, and would require a national program that upsets major aspects of Iraqi politics.

The recent Iraq-Saudi Arabia rapprochement policy should be understood in the context of convergent political, security, and economic interests, with implications for regional security and stability.

The Kurdistan referendum has opened the way for Baghdad and Erbil to prioritise serious negotiations.

Kurdistan shows that post-conflict countries can build a thriving higher education sector by working with foreign partners

Through constructive engagement and promotion of rule of law, the US should help the Kurdistan Region of Iraq become a strategic partner. The Kurds can be instrumental in helping the US mend fences across the region.