New for @amwajmedia.bsky.social: As the Kurdistan Region struggles to defend itself from drone attacks by Iran and Iraqi militias, counter-drone tech inspired by Ukraine could better meet Kurdistan’s context and provide an alternative to high-cost US systems.
amwaj.media/en/article/a...
There it is: A full year of days spent playing golf in just over five years as president. www.pbump.net/outofoffice
A security guard breaks down while witnessing a family separation. New York, 20 August 2025. Carol Guzy, ZUMA Press, iWitness, for Miami Herald/World Press Photo 2026
www.theguardian.com/world/galler...
NEW from me for @thenewarab.bsky.social: Attacks by Iran and Iraqi militias posed a tricky problem for the Kurdistan Region, but caution and calculated restraint by Erbil prevailed over anger and retaliation. But this latest round exacerbated pre-existing dynamics.
www.newarab.com/analysis/cou...
Without saying which group, Trump doubles down on comments he made to Fox News yesterday and adds “I'm very upset with a certain group of people, and they're going to pay a big price for that."
KRG and Iranian Kurdish groups have rejected this allegation, but Trump puts them in an awful position.
Bombing into the stone age? Originally advocated by retired US air force Gen Curtis LeMay in his 1965 memoir as a way to deal with North Vietnam. And how did that turn out?
"As part of Washington’s campaign to isolate the island nation and topple its communist government, the US is now targeting Cuban medical brigades."
Graph from NetBlocks showing network connectivity in Iran from 24 February 2026 to 2 April 2026. The y-axis represents normalized connectivity, ranging from 0% to 100%, and the x-axis represents the dates. The green line representing Iran's connectivity is high through the initial time period, with a sharp drop on the morning of 28 February. The continued drop in connectivity aligns with a nation-scale internet blackout imposed by authorities after joint military strikes by the US and Israel. A brief restoration was observed on 18 March. The minimum and current connectivity levels are indicated as 1% and 2%, respectively. The chart has a dark background with a red horizontal arrow labeled 'SHUTDOWN' indicating the disruption period, and the NetBlocks logo in the lower left corner with the Mapping Internet Freedom slogan.
⚠️ Update: It's now day 34 of #Iran's internet blackout as the nation-scale censorship measure continues past 792 hours in its second month.
Friends and family remain largely cut off from the outside world amid growing anxiety over wartime casualties, arrests, and executions.
"Both Tehran and the militias appear to be warning the PUK against becoming involved in the conflict on the side of the U.S. or by supporting Iranian Kurdish fighters." @wrodgers2.bsky.social @theamargi.bsky.social
Why is Iran striking Sulaimani? The attacks appear aimed at warning the PUK against joining the war on the US side or aiding Iranian Kurdish groups. A city once shielded by political balance is now being pulled closer to the conflict. ✍️ Winthrop Rodgers
www.theamargi.com/posts/why-is...
NEW from me for @theamargi.bsky.social about why Sulaimani and the PUK are being targeted in the US-Iran War.
The PUK's balanced relationships with key players in Tehran, Baghdad, and Washington insulated it, but this may be breaking down as the conflict spreads.
theamargi.com/posts/why-is...
The KDP and the PUK should form a new KRG cabinet immediately, even on emergency terms. The crisis of this war makes it more important than ever.
It is part of Washington's social fabric of diaspora protest and connections between activists. It's also a part of the foundation on which today's Kurdish protests are built. I'm really pleased to tell its story for the Washington City Paper. (photos: @Kani Xulam)
25 years ago a group of Kurdish activists held a continuous vigil in Sheridan Circle opposite the Turkish ambassador's residence called The Cell of Atonement, a 6x8 foot plywood box the same dimensions as the cells back in Turkey holding Kurdish MPs.
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7822...
It is part of Washington's social fabric of diaspora protest and connections between activists. It's also a part of the foundation on which today's Kurdish protests are built. I'm really pleased to tell its story for the Washington City Paper. (photos: @Kani Xulam)
25 years ago a group of Kurdish activists held a continuous vigil in Sheridan Circle opposite the Turkish ambassador's residence called The Cell of Atonement, a 6x8 foot plywood box the same dimensions as the cells back in Turkey holding Kurdish MPs.
washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7822...
But Halabja and its people are also very much alive today. It's one of Kurdistan's most productive agricultural centers, including value added industries. However, it needs more attention and funding from Baghdad and Erbil in order to develop economically. 2/2
Today is the 38th anniversary of the Halabja chemical attack, an infamous crime that killed an estimated 5,000 Kurdish civilians. That history is never far away in the city. 1/2
NEW from me in @thenationalnews.com: Whatever potential opportunities the war might bring, the consequences of Washington’s ill-defined strategy and rush to action have put Kurds on both sides of the Iran-Iraq border at great risk.
www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comm...
The war's over. I saw it on TV.
NEW: Before the Iran War, Trump ignored warnings that Iran could retaliate across the region and stop oil shipments. Now, with energy markets in chaos, some aides are pessimistic about the lack of a strategy to end the war. But they haven't told Trump. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/03/10/u...
BREAKING: Two Iranian drones hit near Dubai International Airport and wounded four people, though flights continue, authorities said. The Dubai Media Office said the attack caused “minor injuries to two Ghanaian nationals and one Bangladeshi national, and moderate injuries to one Indian national.”
NEW from me for @chmenap.bsky.social: The US does not have a settled and coherent strategy for its newest war. Trump has gone back and forth over whether to support the Iranian Kurds, who must balance their own long-term interests with this moment of opportunity.
www.chathamhouse.org/2026/03/kurd...
My father tells me that he paid $2.85/gallon for gas at an Exxon station in Delaware two weeks ago but paid $3.19 yesterday, a 12% increase. "That was quick," he says.
NEW from me in @inkstickmedia.com: During the January offensive against NE Syria, Tom Barrack became a household name across Kurdistan as the latest face of US betrayal. While ordinary Kurds voice their feelings openly, their leaders must act pragmatically.
inkstickmedia.com/for-kurds-to...
"In recent months, Tom Barrack has become a household name across Kurdistan, entering an infamous pantheon of American officials accused of turning their back on the Kurds at life-or-death moments."
By: @wrodgers2.bsky.social
inkstickmedia.com/for-kurds-to...
Speculations about Kurdish offensive mount as Israel, US hit western Iran amwaj.media/en/media-mon... via @amwajmedia.bsky.social
"US immigration enforcement has evolved into a rapidly growing multi-billion-dollar industry in which profitability increasingly dictates policy and enforcement priorities."
By: @tylermcbrien.com
inkstickmedia.com/the-us-immig...
Across 7 countries barred from US aid, >6.2m people are facing “extreme or catastrophic conditions,” per UN. But they have little to offer US in return for help. In other cases, State Dept has restored/offered aid in exchange for desirable mineral rights, or as payment for accepting US deportees
