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Politics

Analysis: Worsening internal rivalries weaken KRG at key political juncture

Conflict between the KDP and PUK has driven dysfunction in Erbil and weakened Kurdish influence in Baghdad as a new government takes power.
Bafel Talabani, president of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (left), meets with newly elected Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (right), in Baghdad in May 2026. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Budget loans give KRG financial lifeline

Baghdad has sent nearly $1 billion to Kurdistan since March, highlighting political cooperation that could grow into reliable financial flows with the passage of a new budget law.