Fuad Hussein: Kurdish Diplomat and Iraq's Foreign Minister
- Mehmet Özdemir
- May 6
- 2 min read
Who Is Fuad Hussein?
Fuad Hussein is a Kurdish Iraqi politician and scholar born in 1947 in Khanaqin in Iraqi Kurdistan who has been a senior figure in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) for decades and currently serves as Iraq's Foreign Minister — appointed in 2020. He previously served as chief of staff to President Jalal Talabani and as chief of staff of the Kurdistan Region.
He studied in Europe — including in Germany — and brings academic formation to his political career. As Foreign Minister, he represents Iraq in international diplomacy, a position that continues the pattern of Kurdish politicians holding senior Iraqi foreign policy roles (alongside Hoshyar Zebari's record-breaking foreign ministry tenure).
He has been a consistent voice for Kurdish rights within the Iraqi state framework and for regional stability in the volatile Middle East.
Key Takeaways
• Born in 1947 in Khanaqin, Iraqi Kurdistan; studied in Europe.
• Iraq's Foreign Minister from 2020 — continues the Kurdish presence in Iraqi foreign policy.
• Previously chief of staff to President Jalal Talabani.
• Senior PUK figure across decades.
Quick Facts
Table of Contents
Early Life
Born in 1947 in Khanaqin. He pursued higher education in Europe and built his political career in the PUK, eventually becoming one of its senior figures and Jalal Talabani's chief of staff.
Historical Context
Kurdish politicians have held senior Iraqi foreign policy positions since 2003 — Hoshyar Zebari as Foreign Minister for eleven years, and Fuad Hussein continuing in this role from 2020. This Kurdish presence in Iraqi foreign policy reflects the post-2003 power-sharing arrangement.
Achievements
Iraq's Foreign Minister and Kurdish Diplomatic Presence
Fuad Hussein's service as Iraq's Foreign Minister from 2020 continues the Kurdish community's presence in Iraqi foreign policy that began with Hoshyar Zebari in 2003. His academic formation and his decades of senior PUK experience give him both the intellectual and political credentials for the role.
Timeline
Debates
His Kurdish identity and his foreign ministry role are established.
Legacy
Fuad Hussein continues the tradition of Kurdish senior presence in Iraqi foreign policy — a tradition that reflects the Kurdish community's political achievement in post-Saddam Iraq and the constitutional arrangement that has given Kurds formal representation at the highest levels of the Iraqi state.
Connections
FAQ
Who is Fuad Hussein?
Fuad Hussein (born 1947) is a Kurdish Iraqi PUK politician from Khanaqin who serves as Iraq's Foreign Minister from 2020. He previously served as chief of staff to President Jalal Talabani.
Was Fuad Hussein Kurdish?
Yes. He was born in Khanaqin in Iraqi Kurdistan and is a senior figure in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.
References
Wikipedia contributors. 'Fuad Hussein.' Wikipedia. Accessed 2025.
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