Hoshyar Zebari: The Kurdish Diplomat Who Became Iraq's Foreign Minister
- Rezan Babakir
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Who Is Hoshyar Zebari?
Hoshyar Zebari is a Kurdish Iraqi politician and diplomat born in 1953 in the Amadiya district of Iraqi Kurdistan — a nephew of Mustafa Barzani and a senior figure in the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). He served as Foreign Minister of Iraq from 2003 to 2014 — over a decade, making him the longest-serving Foreign Minister in Iraqi history — and was subsequently Finance Minister from 2014 to 2016.
As Foreign Minister, he was the face of post-Saddam Iraq to the international community — representing the new Iraq at the United Nations, building diplomatic relationships, and articulating the vision of a democratic, federal Iraq in which Kurdish rights were constitutionally guaranteed. His Kurdish identity and his KDP background gave the Iraqi foreign ministry a distinctly Kurdish presence at the apex of Iraqi diplomacy.
Key Takeaways
• Nephew of Mustafa Barzani; senior KDP figure.
• Foreign Minister of Iraq 2003-2014 — longest-serving in Iraqi history.
• The face of post-Saddam Iraq to the international community.
• Subsequently Finance Minister 2014-2016.
• Represents the Kurdish community's achievement of senior Iraqi state positions.
Quick Facts
Table of Contents
Early Life
Born in 1953 in the Amadiya district of Iraqi Kurdistan into the Barzani family network. He pursued a career in the KDP and eventually in international Kurdish political activism before the fall of Saddam Hussein created the opportunity for senior Iraqi government positions.
Historical Context
Post-2003 Iraq's power-sharing arrangement gave senior government positions to Kurdish politicians. The Foreign Ministry — held by a Kurd for over a decade — was one of the most visible expressions of Kurdish participation in the new Iraqi state.
Achievements
Decade as Iraq's Foreign Minister
Hoshyar Zebari's eleven years as Foreign Minister (2003-2014) made him the longest-serving holder of that position in Iraqi history. He represented Iraq at the UN, built relationships with regional and international partners, and helped establish the diplomatic framework of post-Saddam Iraq during its most critical formative period.
Timeline
Debates
His Kurdish identity and his long Foreign Ministry tenure are established. His 2016 removal from the Finance Ministry amid corruption allegations has been discussed.
Legacy
Hoshyar Zebari is the most prominent Kurdish diplomat in Iraqi history — the man who represented the new Iraq to the world for over a decade and demonstrated that a Kurd could hold one of the most sensitive positions in Arab state diplomacy.
Connections
FAQ
Who is Hoshyar Zebari?
Hoshyar Zebari (born 1953) is a Kurdish Iraqi politician and diplomat who served as Foreign Minister of Iraq from 2003 to 2014 — the longest-serving Foreign Minister in Iraqi history.
Was Hoshyar Zebari Kurdish?
Yes. He is from the Barzani family of Iraqi Kurdistan and a senior member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
References
Wikipedia contributors. 'Hoshyar Zebari.' Wikipedia. Accessed 2025.
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