Kurdish Policy Analysis

  U.S. troops deploy to Middle East amid reports of potential operations near Strait of Hormuz MIDDLE EAST, March 25 — More than 3,000 troops from the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division have arrived in the Middle East in recent days aboard C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft, according to information describing the deployment, as Washington accelerates its military posture amid rising regional tensions. The deployment, which reportedly involved 35 flights since March 12 with additional aircraft still in transit, is believed to be part of broader contingency planning that could include operations linked to Iran and critical maritime routes. Among the scenarios being discussed, sources suggest potential operations involving Iran’s strategic islands in the Strait of Hormuz , including Greater Tunb , Lesser Tunb , and Abu Musa —all of which sit along one of the world’s most important oil shipping lanes. Separately, six U.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft reportedly arr...

Erbil, March 23 — Pshtiwan Faraj  Iranian officials said U.S. President Donald Trump had “backed down” following a reported pause in the American military campaign, in a development that signals a potential shift in tone amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. The claim, shared via Iranian media channels and circulated on social platforms, comes after remarks attributed to Trump suggesting that any military campaign against Iran could last “about four weeks or less,” indicating a more limited timeframe than previously implied. Iranian commentary portrayed the adjustment as a sign of restraint from Washington , framing it as a response to political and strategic pressure. Officials and state-linked narratives suggested the U.S. position had softened in the face of regional and international concerns over escalation. The U.S. has not issued a formal confirmation of any change in operational posture, and it remains unclear whether the reported pause reflects a st...

  Economy-related dimensions The economic fallout of the Israeli-US war on Iran, now entering its third week, is becoming clearer. Seasoned Washington-based reporter Laura Rozen  noted  on Mar. 15, “[US President Donald] Trump [is] putting his economic advisors, energy and interior secretaries on the Sunday shows, rather than his national security advisor, secretary of state, intelligence officials, or military leaders. What does that tell you?” Iran has intensified warnings aimed at Gulf Arab states. Tehran has urged residents near major Emirati ports to evacuate their homes, claiming that US forces are using such facilities to support strikes against Iran and thus signaling that they could become future targets of Iran. A similar warning was reportedly issued for several districts in Doha on Mar. 15. According to Bloomberg  estimates , if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to most commercial traffic for around two months, Qatar and Kuwait could see GDP contraction...