Thamer al-Halfi An academic from Maysan
I am not one of those who write in praise of political figures, nor am I among those who delight in criticizing them for personal or political reasons. But as a follower of public affairs, I found myself drawn to the personality of Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region. A young leader who carries in his words and actions a new vision and exceptional courage. I sensed in his speeches that he is not just another politician, but a true statesman. In a time when statesmen are scarce, I saw in Barzani a leader with the features of the future, a man who can justifiably reshape the relationship between the center and the region, and transform historical conflicts into a new path of cooperation and positivity.
I have become more convinced that this man will inscribe his name in the pages of history not only through his achievements but also through his enemies. As they say, the value of a leader is known by his enemies, who were not ordinary opponents but rather large political forces on the Iraqi scene, angry at Erbil's success in almost everything, while they are mired in endless crises. Nevertheless, Barzani showed nothing but steadfastness and determination to achieve more success, proving that he is not just a politician who aspires to stay in power but a man who aims to leave a lasting legacy, not only for the Kurds but for their brothers in blood within the entire homeland.
When Masrour Barzani took over the presidency of his government, the world was experiencing exceptional circumstances. The Corona pandemic swept the country and the world, and after that came a severe financial crisis to make matters worse. The challenges were not limited to that, but the region also faced enormous political pressures from Baghdad, where political forces were trying by all means to tarnish the region's success. However, Barzani emerged as a true leader, not shying away from crises but facing them and turning them into opportunities.
And although some voices have risen to mock crises such as the water crisis or the delay in salaries in the region and especially Erbil, these problems are not absent from the mind of Barzani and his team. On the contrary, he was facing them with courage every day. He did not evade responsibilities or hide behind a false diplomatic discourse, but rather presented the facts clearly and sought to find solutions.
One of Barzani's most prominent achievements is restoring the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad to its correct positive path. During his time, the relationship between the center and the region witnessed unprecedented calm, something that had not happened for many years. It was not easy for any prime minister in Iraq to achieve this level of stability in the relationship between Baghdad and Erbil, and it is an achievement that must be commended. His role was not limited to repairing the broken bridges between the center and the region, but he also strived to expand the scope of economic and political cooperation, which contributed to creating an atmosphere of stability, not only in the region but in Iraq as a whole.
When citizens from outside the region talk about their visit to Erbil or Sulaimaniyah, they come out with impressive impressions. They cannot help but be amazed at the level of system and organization in state departments there, especially traffic. As they say, "Actions speak louder than words." The ordinary citizen who visits Erbil sees with his own eyes how state institutions work efficiently there, and how things run smoothly, then returns to his city wondering, "Why can't our traffic departments be like those in Erbil or Sulaimaniyah?" Take Kirkuk, for example, to say with regret, "How can a large city like Kirkuk be ranked among the worst traffic departments in the world, while the Kurdistan Region presents a model to be emulated?"
Mesrour Barzani does not only represent the success of the Kurds but also represents the success of Arabs and all Iraqis in both international and local forums. If Erbil is today a model of development and stability, this success is not attributed to the Kurds alone, but it is a success for all of Iraq. This young leader should be seen as a model to be emulated, not because he is only a Kurdish leader, but because he is a statesman who works to unite the country and present a new model of political and economic development.
Let us look at his development projects, which were not limited to building infrastructure but also sought to strengthen the private sector and provide a suitable business environment. This vision transcends local ambitions, as it seeks to make Kurdistan an economic center that competes at the regional and international levels.
The success of Masrour Barzani is only the beginning of a new vision for Iraq. A man like this, who faces all challenges with determination and perseverance, and works to build a better future for all Iraqis, deserves support and endorsement. He is a leader whose achievements cannot be confined to the boundaries of geography or race. While some were busy with political disputes, Barzani was busy building a strong economy and a promising future for his people. And this is exactly what Iraq needs today; leaders who look to the future, work to strengthen national unity, and see the collective success of the country as a primary goal.
Ultimately, men are not measured by what they say, but by what they do. As the saying goes, "Men are actions, not words," leaders like Masrour Barzani are immortalized by history not only because of their achievements but because they were the bridge that their nations crossed towards a brighter future. He who said, "We will spare no effort in providing the best services to the people of the region and all of Iraq," knowing that the homeland is built through work and sacrifice. And as flowers bloom in the harshest conditions, great men emerge in the darkest of times. We must always remember that nations are not built by chance, but by leaders capable of turning challenges into opportunities. As the old saying goes, "He who does not taste the bitterness of struggle and its pain will not know the taste of success."