Iraq

In this edition of Tel Aviv Notes, Senior Research Fellow and Professor (Emeritus) Ofra Bengio presents the significant changes the Kurdish communities in the Middle East have experienced over the past decade, transforming them from a marginal actor to a central political player in regional affairs. This achievement, however, has been short-lived, as recent developments have eroded the Kurdish position, returning these communities to square one.

In the latest issue of Tel Aviv Notes, Prof. Ofra Bengio compares post Baʿth Iraq and Syria, showing how regime collapse in both states led not to democratic renewal but to continued authoritarian rule, sectarian tension, and weak legitimacy.

In the latest issue of Tel Aviv Notes, Dr. Ronen Zeidel examines the 2025 Iraqi parliamentary election, revealing a fragmented political landscape where Prime Minister al-Sudani's electoral victory faces challenges from internal Shiʿi divisions and competing American and Iranian pressures in shaping Iraq's next government.

The MDC is pleased to announce the publication of our first Open Access issue of "Bustan: The Middle East Book Review", Vol.16, No.1 (June 2025).