Barham Salih: Kurdish President of Iraq and International Statesman
- Rezan Babakir
- May 6
- 3 min read
Who Is Barham Salih?
Barham Salih is a Kurdish Iraqi politician and economist born in 1960 in Sulaymaniyah who served as President of Iraq from October 2018 to October 2022 — the third Kurdish person to hold Iraq's highest office — and twice as Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. He is one of the most internationally recognised Kurdish political figures and statesmen of his generation.
He studied engineering and computer science in the UK and US and pursued a career that combined economic expertise with political leadership. He was a senior PUK figure and served as the party's representative in Washington DC during the Saddam Hussein era, building international relationships that served both the Kurdish cause and the new Iraq after 2003.
He left the PUK in 2017 and founded a new party — the Coalition for Democracy and Justice — before being elected President of Iraq in 2018. His presidency coincided with the aftermath of the failed 2017 Kurdistan independence referendum and the political normalisation that followed.
Key Takeaways
• Born in 1960 in Sulaymaniyah; economist and senior PUK politician.
• President of Iraq 2018-2022 — the third Kurdish person to hold this office.
• Twice Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region.
• Internationally recognised Kurdish statesman; built key relationships in Washington during Saddam era.
• Left PUK in 2017; founded Coalition for Democracy and Justice.
Quick Facts
Table of Contents
Early Life
Born in 1960 in Sulaymaniyah. He studied engineering and computer science in the UK (Cardiff) and US, developing the economic and technical expertise that would characterise his political career. He became the PUK's representative in Washington and a highly effective international advocate for Kurdish rights.
Historical Context
The post-2003 Iraq created new political opportunities for Kurdish politicians. Barham Salih's international reputation and his economic expertise made him one of the most effective Kurdish advocates in the new Iraq's institutional framework.
Achievements
President of Iraq and Kurdistan Region Prime Minister
Barham Salih's service as President of Iraq (2018-2022) and twice as Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region represents the fullest expression of Kurdish political achievement within the Iraqi constitutional framework. His presidency came at a particularly delicate moment — following the failed 2017 independence referendum — and required considerable diplomatic skill to manage the relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government.
Timeline
Debates
His Kurdish identity and his political achievements are universally acknowledged. His 2017 departure from the PUK and founding of a new party reflected internal PUK tensions.
Legacy
Barham Salih is one of the most internationally recognised Kurdish statesmen of his generation — a figure whose economic expertise, diplomatic skill, and political courage have made him one of the most effective advocates for Kurdish rights within the Iraqi and international frameworks.
Connections
FAQ
Who is Barham Salih?
Barham Salih (born 1960) is a Kurdish Iraqi politician and economist from Sulaymaniyah who served as President of Iraq from 2018 to 2022 and twice as Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region.
Was Barham Salih Kurdish?
Yes. He was born in Sulaymaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan and is a senior figure in Iraqi Kurdish politics.
References
Wikipedia contributors. 'Barham Salih.' Wikipedia. Accessed 2025.
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