Iraq and the Kurdistan Region have faced a major crisis from both external and internal dimensions: the water scarcity crisis. At present, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are confronting an unprecedented threat of drought in their history, particularly as the annual renewable water availability per individual is currently approximately 600 cubic meters and is expected to decrease by half or more in the coming decade.
Iraq’s contentious 2025 elections unfolded amid deep internal fractures—across ethnic, sectarian, and political lines—and within a broader regional environment marked by heightened geopolitical tension. The preliminary results of the political balance translate into a new configuration that may include the following
For more than a decade, Syria’s Kurdish regions have faced a series of profound shifts that have reshaped their economic, political, and social foundations. Although the Ba'ath Party’s longstanding policies of marginalization and impoverishment had already left deep structural challenges, the changes that followed the 2011 uprising and the transformation of local governance introduced a new trajectory. These dynamics intensified further at the end of 2024 with the fall of the Syrian regime. Yet instead of ushering in a period of stability and economic recovery, the region entered a new wave of economic collapse and declining living standards. This has placed Kurdish families before a serious test of survival, forcing them to adapt to a volatile environment marked by uncertainty and multiple possible outcomes.
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One year after the launch of the Runaki Project—an ambitious, region-wide initiative designed to provide 24-hour, uninterrupted electricity across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq—approximately 70 percent of the region’s population is now receiving continuous power through the program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Runaki Project marks a significant milestone in the Kurdistan Regional Government’s efforts to modernize the energy sector, reduce dependence on small private diesel generators, and minimize environmental pollution resulting from fragmented power production.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->
On September 27, 2025, the pipeline for exporting oil from the Kurdistan Region to European, Asian, and U.S. markets via the Port of Ceyhan was reopened. Over the past month, an average of 188,221 barrels per day of oil from Kurdistan Region fields reached buyers.
This reassurance from the Central Bank and the Prime Minister of Iraq comes at a time when, a decade and a half ago, Iraq’s external debt stood at $60.9 billion, and its domestic debt was $9.9 billion. By June 31, 2025, however, domestic debt had risen to $67.2 billion, while external debt had declined to $14.45 billion. These shifts and reversals are noteworthy and highlight several important aspects of Iraq’s economy. The key question now is whether the issue of government debt has become part of the election campaign rhetoric or if it represents a genuine threat to the country’s financial and economic stability in the future.
Exactly one year ago today, on a day much like this one, Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of Türkiye’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), delivered a speech in parliament that marked the beginning of a new phase in the ongoing conflict between the PKK and the state, a process that continues to this day.
The Rudaw Research Center's latest publication, "The Division of Ottoman Kurdistan Between Two States: Syria and Iraq," was released in 2023. This comprehensive work, composed of five sections, explores the division of Ottoman Kurdistan and its historical implications.
Roughly 60.3% of the surveyed population expressed their intention to participate in the forthcoming parliamentary elections, displaying similarity in turnout rates when compared to previous elections. This inclination towards participation seems to arise from a combination of new voters entering the scene and a strong aspiration among young individuals to engage in the electoral process. Moreover, the prevalent political climate and heightened polarization could also be significant factors impacting individuals’ decisions to take part in the elections. The survey indicates that three distinct groups — non-participants, undecided voters, and those opting for blank ballots — are poised to play substantial roles in the upcoming elections. Particularly noteworthy is the 39.7% of voters who intend to refrain from voting, along with 29.2% who responded positively but withheld their voting choice and 3.7%, indicated a plan to cast blank ballots. This cumulative figure amounts to 2,167,252 voters.
Young people aged 15-29 constitute a significant portion of the population in the Kurdistan Region, accounting for 28% or 1,727,903 individuals. Additionally, approximately 35% of the population in the region is under the age of 15, accounting for 2,159,879, highlighting the continued presence and influence of the young population for the next two decades. This demographic dynamic has important implications for the labor force, wealth distribution, job opportunities, and political participation. Understanding the perspectives of young people on economic, social, and political matters is crucial as it can shape the future of society.
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) Property Market Report, including a survey, followed by several meetings of counselling and planning at the Rudaw Research Center. The report was accomplished by efforts and supervision of our colleague, Mahmood Baban and his team. It provides detailed information on the price trend in the KRI real estate market
This book was written by two Norwegian journalists and was published in 1975. The book includes reports and photos of the famous Norwegian journalist ‘’Egil Ulti’’ and his photographer Evarsn journey’s to Kurdistan which they spent time with Peshmerga forces in the mountains and tell the story of how Peshmerag defended the people and land of Kurdistan and, and also tell the story of Kurdish exodus due to Iraqi regime’s attacks.
In August 2014 ISIS had launched attacks on Kurdistan region and captured some parts of Kurdistan land. ISIS has exploited the chaos of the Arab spring in Syria. According to geopolitical experts this is considered as geopolitical change therefore Kurdistan had to adapt with the new geopolitics of the region.
