@TheNationalNews Iraq Correspondent. Previously @AP senior reporter. RTs not endorsements. Contact: smahmoud at https://nitter.cf/t.co/2TCCDoo8lh
Baghdad
Joined May 2009
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Sinan S. Mahmoud retweeted
Two years after Kurdistan's parliamentary elections in October 2024, government formation negotiations between the KDP and PUK have completely broken down with Bafel Talabani announcing the PUK will withdraw from the regional government.
In the intervening years, I had numerous discussions with KDP and PUK leadership while I was still at the State Department and then with the Atlantic Council. At various points, the two sides appeared close to reaching a compromise. Yet, during all my visits there was only one visit during which the two sides did not bitterly complain about each other to me. Put simply, they just don't trust each other.
And yet, I think there is another factor that had prevented a total rupture thus far: significant USG intervention. The Trump administration was much less willing to or interested in playing the role of mediator between the KDP and PUK. Previous US administrations essentially accepted that we would really get into the weeds of internal KRG politics and even knock heads if required. Recall that the US played a significant role in brokering an agreement to hold the October 2024 elections in the first place after significant delay.
I get the Trump admin instinct: why should the US be involved and why is this our problem? And yet, the divisions within Kurdistan undermine the strength of one the strongest US partners in Iraq.
I am really disappointed to see this news. It's bad for Kurds, bad for Kurdistan, and bad for the American interests.
Sinan S. Mahmoud retweeted
Many Iranians were pleased about the Democrats' wins, one resident of Tehran told. me. "Trump has also greatly tormented many Iranians, and they bear him no goodwill."
While many Iranians see no difference between Democrats' and Republicans' attitudes towards their country, some hope that, "to some extent they [the Democrats] can rein in Trump," he added.
thenationalnews.com/news/gul…
Sinan S. Mahmoud retweeted
US midterms 2026: As Democrats take the House and the Senate, what comes next? thenationalnews.com/news/us/…
Sinan S. Mahmoud retweeted
Democrats have won control of both the US Senate and House of Representatives in the midterm elections.
The results could make it difficult for President Donald Trump to pass laws during his final two years in office.
With majorities in both chambers, Democrats will have greater power to challenge Trump’s policies, block parts of his agenda and launch investigations into his administration
Sinan S. Mahmoud retweeted
Last week, Iraqi PM Al-Zaidi visited Damascus to meet with President al-Sharaa, marking the first visit of an Iraqi PM to Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Despite this positive political step, the Iraq-Syria relationship remains complicated and marked by lingering concerns on both sides of the border.
Join me on November 18 at 11 EST when I'll moderate a virtual discussion with @IbrahimAlAssil, @yesar, @LahibHigel, @Karam__Shaar to discuss the political and economic foundations of this relationship and whether and how the two countries can warm previously cool ties.
Register at this link: atlanticcouncil.org/event/th…
Sinan S. Mahmoud retweeted
Syria appoints Druze TV personality and activist as peace adviser thenationalnews.com/news/men…
Sinan S. Mahmoud retweeted
Not just your random French foreign fighter of the Islamic State
The man was a veteran ideologue and media contributor of al-Hayāt Media and writer and editor of the French language magazine Dār al-Islām
Sinan S. Mahmoud retweeted
An ISIS member since the Iraqi Insurgency days, Frenchman Thomas Barnouin has pled guilty to ISIS membership before a Baghdad court, and expressed regret. He was among 47 Kurd held French detainees transferred from Syria to Iraq last year, reports the National.
Sinan S. Mahmoud retweeted
Iraq to stay neutral and curb Gulf threats if US-Iran war resumes, adviser says thenationalnews.com/news/gul…
Sinan S. Mahmoud retweeted
Iraqi excavations to reveal secrets of life in Mesopotamia 4,000 years ago thenationalnews.com/news/men…
Sinan S. Mahmoud retweeted
Watch and read our full interview with Deputy PM @qubadjt on Kurdish government deadlock, the Iran war, relations with Baghdad and more:
thenationalnews.com/news/men…
Deploying Iranian-Kurdish opposition groups from Iraq was never part of the US battle plan in Iran, Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani says in an interview with The National's Aveen Karim.
Talabani says the Kurdistan Region communicated that to both Tehran and Washington, while also warning the opposition groups against involvement.
Watch the full video on our YouTube channel
Sinan S. Mahmoud retweeted
Iraqi court sentences two prominent politicians to prison in corruption case thenationalnews.com/news/men…
Sinan S. Mahmoud retweeted
As Iraq faces its worst financial crisis in years, it debates its largest budget.
Sinan S. Mahmoud retweeted
Iraq's Kurdistan Region has passed 2 years of government formation impasse. Some leaders are proposing alternative arrangements, but they could open up further territorial division and entrench ruling party power.
Details in my new piece for @CH_MENAP: chathamhouse.org/2026/10/div…
Sinan S. Mahmoud retweeted
Iraq: ""The court found that the evidence is sufficient to convict you,” he told each defendant. “The charge carries the death penalty, but because you are a young man at the beginning of your life, I have decided to give you a chance to reform yourself and change the course of your life."
(...) In 2019, several French citizens transferred from Syria were sentenced to death in Baghdad before their sentences were commuted to life in jail."
Iraqi court sentences seven French ISIS members to prison. The court sentenced six people to 20 years in prison and one was jailed for 15 years. thenationalnews.com/news/men…
Sinan S. Mahmoud retweeted
So, there will be no death sentences, which foreign countries opposed and feared Iraq might impose on foreign fighters.
Judge Mohammed Salman, of the Karkh Criminal Court: “The charge carries the death penalty, but because you are a young man at the beginning of your life, I have decided to give you a chance to reform yourself and change the course of your life." via @sinansm
Iraq: An Iraqi court on Tuesday sentenced seven French ISIS members to prison, in the first verdicts of a trial involving 47 of the country's citizens transferred from Syria, handing down sentences under terrorism laws.
thenationalnews.com/news/men…
Sinan S. Mahmoud retweeted
Two years ago, the Kurdistan Region held elections and the KDP & the PUK still haven't formed a government.
At the time, I wrote for @CH_MENAP that a delay would "further damage the Kurdistan Region." I couldn't have imagined it would still be going on.
kalam.chathamhouse.org/artic…
Sinan S. Mahmoud retweeted
As ever, proud of editing @TheNationalNews and being part of @imimediagroup .