About Kamaran Palani

An Associate Fellow at Al Sharq Strategic Research and a Lecturer in International Relations at Salahaddin University-Erbil. Palani is also a Research Fellow at the Middle East Research Institute. Palani holds a PhD from Leiden University (Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs). Research Interests: Iraqi politics, regional Kurdish politics, de facto statehood in the international system, and violent extremism in the Middle East.
12 May, 2022

Iraq: A Temporary Stalemate or a Sign of Long-Term Political Dysfunction?

Kamaran Palani Khogir W. Mohammed | 12 May 2022

Despite seven months passing from its early parliamentary elections, Iraq has yet to see a new cabinet. The country is witnessing yet another political quagmire that seems to have mired all the main powers in the country

Iraq: A Temporary Stalemate or a Sign of Long-Term Political Dysfunction?2022-06-22T12:12:24+03:00
27 Dec, 2021

Intra-PUK rivalry and its Implications for the Iraqi Kurdish Political Landscape

Kamaran Palani Khogir W. Mohammed | 27 December 2021 | TR

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), a major centre of power in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), has witnessed a significant confrontation between its co-presidents since July 2021, further dispersing power and widening the leadership vacuum in the region

Intra-PUK rivalry and its Implications for the Iraqi Kurdish Political Landscape2022-09-27T12:28:05+03:00
9 Jul, 2021

Iraqs elections: A Vicious Cycle


Kamaran Palani | 09 July 2021

This piece considers whether an early election in Iraq will lead to change, or merely reinforce the status quo and current power structure. Considering the key challenges confronting Iraq’s democratic process and genuine popular participation across the country, this piece highlights the ongoing and polarizing public debate in Iraq regarding whether early elections will take place on the planned date of October 10, or their possible postponement to 2022

Iraqs elections: A Vicious Cycle
2022-04-15T14:58:15+03:00
6 Jan, 2021

Youthful Anger and the Crisis of Legitimacy in Iraqi Kurdistan

Kamaran Palani | 06 January 2021 | AR

Youth disillusionment with the heavily politicised system of governance in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) is not new. What is new is that young people’s anger and frustration now present a serious challenge to the KRI’s internal legitimacy

Youthful Anger and the Crisis of Legitimacy in Iraqi Kurdistan2022-06-10T16:45:20+03:00
16 Jan, 2020

Faced with the choice between the USA and Iran, the KRI’s political parties are most likely to side with the USA for the sustainability of the de facto entity.

Kamaran Palani | 16 January 2020 | TR | AR

The official position of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) towards the assassination of Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis

Faced with the choice between the USA and Iran, the KRI’s political parties are most likely to side with the USA for the sustainability of the de facto entity.2020-12-31T12:57:04+03:00
6 Oct, 2018

The Government Formulation and its Impact on the Shape of the Iraqi State

Kamaran Palani | 06 October 2018 | TR | AR

The aim of this brief is to answer the following question: What does the contentious government formation process mean for the future of the Iraqi state and the nature of its politics?

The Government Formulation and its Impact on the Shape of the Iraqi State2020-08-10T19:31:07+03:00
Go to Top