Change in Iraqi Kurdistan

Third party activism is alive and well . . . in Iraqi Kurdistan. In early May, I relayed an NPR story reporting that "the Kurdish duopoly parties will run on a joint ticket in upcoming elections. Third party opposition leaders argue that this is precisely how the entrenched parties avoid accountability while retaining their power over security, government and the economy in Iraqi Kurdistan." Today, Time Magazine speculates on the possibility that "Kurds vs. Arabs could be Iraq's next civil war." Buried in the article is an update on the political opposition to the Kurdish duopoly parties:

In Kurdistan, where parliamentary elections will be held on June 25, a new party called Change is mounting the first significant challenge to the duopoly of Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, led by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. The new party is gaining ground by tapping into growing dissatisfaction with government corruption and nepotism.