500 Drones Launched From Iraq Toward Saudi Arabia — Region on Edge

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Iraq Becomes Drone War Battlefield as Iran-Backed Militias Strike Gulf States. Five Hundred drone attacks from Iraqi territory hit Saudi Arabia and beyond, raising fears of a hidden regional war spiraling out of control By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj, SULAIMANI,   Kurdish Policy Analysis , April 21--  Iraqi militia groups close to Iran have fired dozens of drones at Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries during the war; This has created a “silent” war in the midst of the Great War. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, half of the 1,000 drone strikes against Saudi Arabia were from within Iraqi territory. The report cited a Saudi security assessment that said the attacks targeted sensitive positions, including the Yanbu refinery on the Red Sea and oil fields in eastern Saudi Arabia. The report said the drones hit not only Saudi Arabia, but also Kuwait's only civilian airport. Even after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire earlier this...
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Nechirvan Barzani Joins Global Power Players at Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026 Amid Rising Global Uncertainty


Kurdish Policy Analysis / SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq— Over 150 countries, 20+ leaders, and top diplomats convene under Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026 as geopolitical tensions, Gaza, and shifting alliances dominate the agenda. 

Nechirvan Barzani attends the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026 alongside global leaders as Turkey hosts one of the largest diplomatic gatherings amid rising geopolitical uncertainty.

The fifth session of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum is scheduled to begin on Friday with the participation of Kurdistan Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani and dozens of senior leaders and officials of the world.

The conference is being chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and organized by the Foreign Ministry. This year's course will be held under the title "Managing Uncertainties in Tomorrow's Mapping" and will continue from April 17 to 19,

This year’s forum is expected to be one of the busiest; According to preliminary figures, representatives from more than 150 countries and 75 international organizations will participate. The total attendance is estimated at 5,000, including more than 20 presidents and prime ministers, alongside 50 ministers (40 of whom are foreign ministers).

Kurdistan Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani will be among the prominent leaders at the conference. In addition to Nechirvan Barzani, Wishyar Zebari, a member of the executive committee of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Political Bureau, and Irfan Ali Abdulaziz, leader of the Kurdistan Islamic Movement (KIM), have been invited.

More than 40 panels will be presented on political, economic, environmental and technological issues, especially increasing uncertainty and changes in the global system. In addition to these panels, several special meetings will be held between leaders and delegations. These include the third meeting of the Balkan Peace Platform foreign ministers, a meeting on Gaza, an informal meeting of the Turkish Foreign Ministers, and the Turkey-Pakistan-Saudi-Egypt quadrilateral meeting.

Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties

The 5th edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2026), hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, under the auspices of H.E. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, will take place on 17-19 April 2026, in Antalya, Türkiye.

In the face of geopolitical tensions, shifting balances of power, rising trade barriers and mounting pressure on multilateralism, the current global landscape is marked by increasing unpredictability.

This year's theme "Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties" emphasizes the importance of anticipating and addressing emerging issues to be able to shape a better future. The theme underscores the need to stay ahead of future developments by identifying risks and opportunities, developing strategies and turning insights into action.

As conflicts remain unresolved, polarization grows and strategic rivalries expand, numerous critical issues continue to affect people all over the world. In order to address these challenges and work towards a more inclusive, fair and effective international system, the consolidation of international cooperation, dialogue and solidarity is imperative. 

ADF2026 will bring together leaders, policymakers, diplomats, academics, business experts, media and civil society representatives to explore how to best manage uncertainties and address pressing issues while preparing for future challenges. Through keynote addresses, panel discussions and interactive sessions as well as bilateral meetings, the participants will discuss global trends and regional dynamics, exchange views on possible solutions and share best practices.

The Forum will once again provide a valuable platform for fostering dialogue, restoring trust and engaging in stronger cooperation; mapping the path forward to a more peaceful, stable and resilient world for future generations.

Nechirvan Barzani is set to participate in the fifth session of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026, which begins Friday under the patronage of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Organized by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, the forum runs from April 17 to 19 in Antalya and is expected to be one of the largest diplomatic gatherings of the year.

Held under the theme “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties,” the event comes at a time of intensifying geopolitical fragmentation, rising trade barriers, and mounting pressure on multilateral systems.

Preliminary figures indicate participation from more than 150 countries and 75 international organizations, with total attendance projected at around 5,000 participants, including over 20 heads of state and government and approximately 50 ministers, most of them foreign ministers.

Barzani will be among several Kurdish political figures attending, alongside Hoshyar Zebari and Irfan Ali Abdulaziz, highlighting the Kurdistan Region’s continued diplomatic outreach amid shifting regional alignments.

More than 40 panels are scheduled, covering political, economic, environmental, and technological challenges, with a strong focus on global instability and systemic transformation.

Key side meetings are expected to address pressing regional issues, including Gaza, as well as multilateral coordination efforts such as the Balkan Peace Platform, an informal gathering of Turkish foreign ministers, and a Turkey–Pakistan–Saudi Arabia–Egypt quadrilateral meeting.

The forum’s theme reflects growing concerns among policymakers that the international system is entering a prolonged phase of uncertainty, driven by unresolved conflicts, intensifying great-power competition, and deepening polarization.

Organizers say the event aims to foster dialogue, rebuild trust, and strengthen international cooperation, positioning the forum as a platform for shaping responses to emerging global risks.

For the Kurdistan Region, Barzani’s participation underscores ongoing efforts to maintain diplomatic relevance and engagement at a time when regional and global power dynamics are rapidly evolving.

#AntalyaForum #NechirvanBarzani #Turkey #Geopolitics #MiddleEast #Diplomacy #Iraq #Kurdistan #GlobalPolitics #ADF2026 

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