Zana Gul

The article explores the shifts in Sino–Iraqi relations since the 1950s. The article's question is: Is China and Iraq's relationship witnessing a turning point characterised by more dependency and engagement? The article explores Sino–Iraqi interdependence throughout the last six decades through primary and secondary resources, including official documents, data on trade and Chinese and Iraqi outlets. It employs Nye and Keohane's complex interdependence to evaluate Sino–Iraqi dependency. The article finds that Sino–Iraqi interdependence was non-existent between the 1950s and 1975. At the end of the 1970s, some initial elements partially emerged but did not fully materialise; these faded in the 1990s, and since 2003 complex interdependence has gradually emerged. The bilateral relationships pre-2003 made provision for the development of the ties. This has not been without challenges, particularly from Iraq. The study shows the role of the oil sector in Sino–Iraqi interdepe...

Since the controversial September referendum for Iraqi Kurdish independence, the political stability of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and its relationship with the Iraqi government has been in crisis mode. The political uncertainty of the KRG has been clouded by the de jure resignation of President Masoud Barzani, an increase in violence and protests, and mounting economic woes. The precarious political balance between Erbil and Baghdad is not only subject to the tensions of internal Kurdish affairs, but also by the complex interests of regional and sub-state actors and the looming Iraqi parliamentary elections in May. Contributors to this response largely agree that actual Kurdish independence is very unlikely in the short-medium term and, moreover, that maintaining the territorial unity of Iraq and Kurdistan is critical to security in the region. However, contributors differ slightly on how to approach facilitating and maintaining stability in Iraq and how to balance com...

he eyes of the international community were drawn to the enclave of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq during the confrontation with the Islamic State. While acting as the threatened bulwark, Iraqi Kurdistan took the opportunity to strengthen its foreign relations, writes Zana Khasraw