Negotiations for international loans for Kurdistan should resume with a clearer vision
September 20th, 2015 by MERI
Recent developments damaged beyond repair the confidence investors had in lending money to the KRG. As a result, the only other way out of the current economic crisis, at least in the short term, is to bring in fresh capital to cover for the money Kurdistan is unable to generate internally.
Oil for Food: The Global Food Crisis and the Middle East
September 16th, 2015 by MERI
Like the Gulf countries, Iraq has a high dependence on oil export revenues, food imports and considerable population growth.
Post-Maliki Iraq: An uncertain future?
February 1st, 2015 by MERI
While it is tough to predict how developments in Iraq will manifest in the future, Iraq’s new political dispensation under Haidar Al-Abadi is actively striving to move beyond Maliki’s destabilizing ethno-sectarian legacy and treading the path of dialogue and reconciliation.
The Iran Nuclear Deal: A View from Erbil
August 3rd, 2015 by MERI
Iran and six world powers reached a historic deal on the 14th of July in Vienna. This deal could have far reaching consequences and significantly alter geopolitics in the Middle East.
The HDP’s Next Best Move
June 14th, 2015 by MERI
A HDP-AKP coalition will not only be good for domestic politics, but also will continue to build on the success stories Turkey has achieved in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
The Yemeni Crisis: The Prisoner’s Dilemma for Saudi Arabia and Iran
May 31st, 2015 by MERI
The atmosphere of regional volatility and high stakes for Saudi Arabia’s and Iran’s national security, might lead these two countries to strengthen their military positioning on different fronts across the Middle East.
Debating the Iranian Nuclear Deal
May 7th, 2015 by MERI
At the moment, skeptics specially in the US, are vocal in condemning both President Obama and Iran but it may well be argued that regional security is better served through an accommodative Iran engaged with the international community as opposed to an isolated and threatening one.
Realpolitik and disastrous consequences
March 16th, 2015 by MERI
A Kurd could argue that the long hardship and series of disasters inflicted upon the people of Iraq are direct consequences of the complacency and indifference embedded in the foreign policy of the superpowers.
The Importance of the Battle for Tikrit
January 30th, 2019 by MERI
As the much publicised attack on Tikrit is underway, it is important to look at the deeper significance of such an operation. Beyond regaining lost territory, the battle for Tikrit will play a defining role in the coming year for Iraq. As a Symbol The timing of the operation was by design. Forces moved towards […]
The Fight Against Islamic State: Operation Mosul
February 26th, 2015 by MERI
Defeating the Islamic State, in Iraq, must happen in phases. In the first instance, urban areas will have to be regained. Second, the large rural areas of Iraq will have to be brought back under control. Thirdly, local actors will still have to combat a prolonged and difficult insurgency