In conversation with the prime minister of the Kurdistan regional government

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani discusses the challenges and obstacles to reform in Kurdistan.
Six months after the national elections, Iraq still has no government and discussions have reached a stalemate.
Opaque political wranglings, violence against opponents and critical judicial rulings have all been key features of government formation, and the process has also had an impact on simmering tensions between Baghdad and Erbil; in particular, the Supreme Court ruling on oil exports from Kurdistan.
All the while, the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is also presenting a challenge for Iraq, given the presence of Russian oil companies.
In this event, part of Chatham House’s Iraq Initiative, the prime minister of the Kurdistan region Masrour Barzani discusses challenges and barriers to reform in Kurdistan, the status of Erbil’s negotiations with Baghdad, and the regional impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.