Human Security Centre Human Rights and International Security Research

Although it is not entirely clear if Mustafa al-Kadhimi will be able to form a cabinet within the 30-day timeline, one thing he does have is support amongst most parliamentary factions.

With the Russian-backed Syrian regime effectively winning the war against the opposition and Russia now calling the shots between Turkey and the SDF, it is fair to say that Putin is emerging as the metaphorical Tsar of Syria.

Despite ethno-sectarian differences and a confessional system still being present in Iraq, there appears to be a trend of increasingly foreign policy-based fissures in the country – something which is only likely to further complicate the Iraq’s future.

With Turkey going against US and western policy in Syria, alongside continuing to pivot towards Russia, it may be time to punish them and kick them out of NATO.