The Baghdad Pact (1955): Cold War Alliance, Kurdish Containment
The Baghdad Pact (1955) united Turkey, Iraq, and Iran in a Cold War military alliance that gave Western backing to the suppression of Kurdish national movements.
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The Qavam-Sadchikov Agreement (1946): The Oil Deal That Destroyed the Republic of Mahabad
The Qavam-Sadchikov Agreement (1946) traded Soviet withdrawal from Iran for oil rights — sealing the fate of the Republic of Mahabad, the only independent Kurdish republic in history.
Read article →The Treaty of Saadabad (1937): When the States That Divided Kurdistan United Against the Kurds
The Treaty of Saadabad (1937) united Turkey, Iran, and Iraq in a pact of non-aggression and non-interference — enabling each state to suppress its Kurdish population without interference.
Read article →The Treaty of Ankara (1926): When Kurdistan Was Sold for Oil
The Treaty of Ankara (1926) awarded the Kurdish-majority Mosul vilayet to Iraq for oil royalties, finalising the division of northern and southern Kurdistan.
Read article →The Treaty of Lausanne (1923): The Treaty That Erased Kurdistan from the Map
The Treaty of Lausanne (1923) erased Kurdistan from international law, replacing Sèvres’ promise of Kurdish autonomy with total silence. It sealed the four-part partition that persists today.
Read article →The Joint British-Iraqi Declaration (1922): The Christmas Promise of Kurdish Autonomy That Was Never Kept
The Joint British-Iraqi Declaration (1922) was the first recognition of Kurdish autonomy in Iraq. Known as the Christmas Declaration, it was never honoured — yet its principle endures.
Read article →The Treaty of Sèvres (1920): The Promise of Kurdistan That Was Never Kept
The Treaty of Sèvres (1920) was the only international treaty to recognise Kurdish self-determination. Articles 62-64 promised autonomy and a path to independence — but were never implemented.
Read article →The Kurdish-Armenian Declaration of Solidarity (1919): When Two Peoples Chose Coexistence Over Conflict
In 1919, Kurdish and Armenian leaders signed a joint declaration at Paris calling for independent statehood for both peoples. Explore this historic act of solidarity.
Read article →The Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916): The Secret Pact That Completed Kurdistan’s Partition
The Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916) secretly divided Ottoman Kurdish lands between Britain and France, completing the four-part partition of Kurdistan that persists today.
Read article →The Second Treaty of Erzurum (1847): When European Powers Drew a Line Through Kurdistan
The Second Treaty of Erzurum (1847) drew a precise border through Kurdistan under British and Russian mediation — transforming Kurdish partition into international law.
Read article →The First Treaty of Erzurum (1823): When Empires Fought Over Kurdish Tribes — Without Asking the Kurds
The First Treaty of Erzurum (1823) reaffirmed Kurdistan’s partition between Ottoman and Persian empires, with Kurdish tribes treated as subjects, not political actors.
Read article →The Treaty of Zuhab (1639): The Treaty That Made Kurdistan’s Partition Permanent
The Treaty of Zuhab (1639) permanently divided Kurdistan between the Ottoman and Safavid empires. Its borders still define Turkey, Iraq, and Iran today.
Read article →The Peace of Amasya (1555): The Treaty That Tore Kurdistan in Half
The Peace of Amasya (1555) was the first formal partition of Kurdistan, splitting the Kurdish homeland between the Ottoman and Safavid empires without Kurdish consent.
Read article →The Chaldiran Agreement (1514): When Kurdish Princes Allied with the Ottomans — and Were Betrayed
In 1514, Kurdish emirs allied with Ottoman Sultan Selim I at Chaldiran in exchange for autonomy. Explore this pivotal and ultimately betrayed Kurdish agreement.
Read article →The Treaty of Jaffa (1229): When Saladin’s Grandson Traded Jerusalem for Strategic Advantage
In 1229, Saladin’s grandson al-Kamil negotiated Jerusalem’s peaceful transfer to Frederick II. Explore this masterful act of Kurdish-descended Ayyubid diplomacy.
Read article →The Treaty of Jaffa (1192): When a Kurdish Sultan Kept Jerusalem and Humbled the Lionheart
The 1192 Treaty of Jaffa ended the Third Crusade with Jerusalem in Kurdish hands. Explore how Saladin, the Kurdish sultan, shaped world history.
Read article →The Byzantine-Marwanid Agreement (1000 AD): When a Kurdish Emir Became Duke of the East
In 1000 AD, Byzantine Emperor Basil II granted a Kurdish emir the title Duke of the East — an honour never before given to a Muslim ruler. Explore this landmark Kurdish treaty.
Read article →The Rome-Sassanid Peace Treaty (296 AD): When Kurdish Lands Were Named in the Ancient World’s Greatest Treaty
How the 296 AD Rome-Sassanid Peace Treaty placed Kurdish Corduene under Roman sovereignty and led to the creation of a dedicated Kurdish cavalry unit.
Read article →The Treaty Between Gordyene and Rome (69 BC): When a Kurdish King Sought Alliance with the World’s Greatest Po
Explore the 69 BC alliance between King Zarbienus of Gordyene and Rome — a pivotal moment in Kurdish diplomatic history proving Kurdish sovereignty.
Read article →Kurdish News Weekly: Baghdad Talks, Drone Strikes, and Kurdish Cultural Visibility
This weekly Kurdish news roundup covers Masrour Barzani’s Baghdad visit, Erbil-Baghdad disputes over salaries and oil, new drone attacks on Iranian Kurdish parties, border-security diplomacy with Iran, the Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary deadlock, Iraq’s Hormuz-linked financial crisis, and Kurdish cinema’s growing diaspora presence.
Read article →Kurdish News Weekly: Rojava Citizenship, Afrin Returns, and Security Pressures on the Kurdistan Region
This week’s Kurdish news roundup examines Syrian Kurdish citizenship applications, Rojava electoral representation, Afrin family returns, Iranian attacks on the Kurdistan Region, and renewed debate over Kurdish opposition groups and U.S.-Kurdish relations.
Read article →Assyrian History: From Ancient Origins to Imperial Glory and the Myth of Modern Continuity
Explore the rich tapestry of Assyrian History: From Ancient Origins to Imperial Glory and the Myth of Modern Continuity. Discover Assyrian History today!
Read article →The Baban Dynasty: The Kurdish Principality of Sulaymaniyah and the Babani Literary School (1649–1850)
The Baban Dynasty (1649–1850): the great Ottoman-side Kurdish principality, founders of Sulaymaniyah in 1784, patrons of the Babani school of Sorani Kurdish poetry — Nali, Salim, Kurdî, Mawlana Khalid.
Read article →The Ardalan Dynasty: The Longest-Surviving Kurdish Dynasty in History (1169–1867)
The Ardalan Dynasty (1169–1867): the longest-surviving Kurdish dynasty in history, ruling 698 years from Sanandaj. Safavid walis, Gorani literature, Mastoureh Ardalan, the founding of Sanandaj.
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