Latest news with #KIM
Shafaq News
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
The 15% ceiling: Islamist parties' complex path in Iraqi Kurdistan
Shafaq News/ Islamist movements in the Kurdistan Region are grappling with waning public support, evolving social dynamics, and mounting regional interference. Although Kurdish society blends religious conservatism with modern nationalist ideals, Islamist parties have struggled to convert that cultural fabric into lasting political traction. While party leaders claim growing influence, analysts argue that political Islam in Kurdistan has stalled—its momentum slowed by deep-rooted historical and ideological constraints. A Fragmented Rise Islamist political movements began to emerge in the Kurdistan Region in the late 20th century, shaped by regional developments and shifting domestic dynamics. The Kurdistan Islamic Movement (KIM) was established in 1987 by Sheikh Osman Abdul Aziz and a group of clerics, drawing ideological influence from both the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafi currents. The political landscape shifted in 1991 following the Kurdish uprising against Saddam Hussein and the creation of a de facto autonomous administration in northern Iraq. This new environment allowed for the rise of various political actors, including Islamist factions. Among them was the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), launched as the Kurdish branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. In contrast to the KIM, the KIU, at that time, emphasized political participation and engagement with emerging institutions rather than armed activity. Throughout the 1990s, the KIM maintained an armed wing and became involved in a series of confrontations with secular Kurdish parties, particularly the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). These clashes reflected both ideological differences and local power rivalries. Over time, regional mediation efforts contributed to a gradual de-escalation and the partial demobilization of KIM forces. The group eventually moved toward greater involvement in formal political processes. Internal divisions continued to shape the Islamist camp. In the early 2000s, Ali Bapir, a senior KIM leader, split from the movement to form a new faction—the Islamic Group of Kurdistan, later renamed the Kurdistan Justice Group (KJG/ Jama'at Al-Adl Al-Islamiya). This party adopted a more pragmatic posture, combining Islamic values with advocacy for social and political reform, and gradually built a support base in certain areas of the region. Hardline factions also emerged. In 2001, Ansar al-Islam was established near the Iranian border, adopting a Salafi-jihadist ideology and imposing strict interpretations of Islamic law in territories under its control. The group pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and drew international attention during the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. It was targeted in joint operations involving Kurdish and American forces. Despite initial momentum and an established presence in some areas, Islamist parties have struggled to secure broad political influence. Collectively, they have rarely won more than 15% of the vote in Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections. Analysts attribute this to the sustained dominance of the two main secular nationalist parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the PUK, as well as internal divisions among Islamist factions. Leaders Claim Gains, Analysts See Dip The strength of Islamist parties in the Kurdistan Region remains a subject of debate, with party leaders defending their relevance while analysts highlight signs of decline. Ahmed Haji Rashid, senior leader in the Kurdistan Justice Group (KJG) and member of Iraq's federal parliament, rejected claims of waning influence. In remarks to Shafaq News, he pointed to the group's performance in Baghdad, where Islamist representation increased from four seats during the 2018–2021 terms to five in the current parliament—an outcome viewed as evidence of stable voter support. Addressing the 2024 Kurdistan parliamentary elections, Rashid noted that Islamist parties secured 10 out of 100 seats, down from 12 in 2018. He described the drop as marginal and underscored continued backing in conservative regions such as Halabja, Kirkuk, and parts of Erbil and al-Sulaymaniyah. He also distinguished between Islam as a cultural identity and Islamism as a political project. 'Kurdistan's religiosity is not seasonal, It's cultural, generational, and deeply ingrained.' In his view, this enduring social structure continues to sustain faith-based political movements. Others view the trajectory differently. Political analyst Fuad Majid, based in al-Sulaymaniyah, pointed to structural weaknesses within Islamist factions, many of which were built on models imported from abroad, including the Muslim Brotherhood and Turkiye's Justice and Development Party (AKP). These origins, he argued, limited their ability to align with Kurdish political traditions and resonate with younger voters. Majid also identified past links to extremism as a lasting burden. The legacy of Ansar al-Islam in the early 2000s and the more recent trauma of ISIS have contributed to public unease. 'Many people associate political Islam with instability and authoritarianism. Even among religious families, skepticism toward Islamist parties is on the rise,' he noted to Shafaq News. A 2024 survey conducted by the Kurdistan Institute for Political Studies reflected this trend. Only 11% of respondents supported Islamist parties, compared with 52% favoring nationalist or secular groups. Among voters under 30, support for Islamist factions dropped below 6%, indicating a sharp generational decline. Nearly 37% expressed no party preference, citing broad disillusionment with the political system. Observers also reported declining turnout in areas once considered Islamist bastions. Without internal reforms and a coordinated political vision, projections suggest Islamist parties may struggle to hold even 10% of the vote in future Kurdistan parliamentary elections. Undermining Kurdish Unity? Beyond electoral dynamics, analysts are voicing concern over the growing influence of cross-border Islamist movements in the Kurdistan Region, warning that these ideologies may be weakening national cohesion and reshaping social norms. Karzan Murad, an academic in international relations, described movements such as Salafism, political Shiism, and factions aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood as more than religious currents. In comments to Shafaq News, he characterized them as strategic tools used by regional powers to undermine Kurdish nationalism. 'These groups exploit social vacuums to instill sectarian loyalty in place of national belonging,' Murad explained, pointing to a rising trend among such movements to reject ethnic identity altogether, often framing it as religious deviation. 'They regard national identity as heresy,' he observed. Murad identified the 2014 ISIS offensive on Sinjar and the subsequent Yazidi genocide as a turning point that revealed the social impact of extremist ideologies. He linked the massacre to a broader erosion of Kurdish cultural foundations. 'Their rise has fueled extremism and weakened traditional Kurdish values,' he said. He also raised concerns over changing demographics in disputed areas, where Iran-backed armed groups and other regional actors have been accused of influencing population patterns. These efforts, he argued, form part of a broader campaign to dilute Kurdish presence and fragment collective identity. Piety vs. Politics The evolution of Islamist movements in Kurdistan has not occurred in isolation from regional dynamics. Over the past few decades, the Middle East has witnessed recurring waves of political Islam—from the Iranian revolution to the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood and the emergence of jihadist groups. Though these movements primarily unfolded elsewhere, they still had an indirect impact on the Kurdish political landscape. External support for Kurdish Islamist factions from regional powers, such as the close relationship between the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) and Turkiye, and the ideological continuity of the Muslim Brotherhood across borders, helped shape the local political-Islamic current. However, as the threat of ISIS loomed large, many Kurds turned to their nationalist parties, seeking security and stability. In the face of existential dangers, the appeal of Islamist discourse waned, as Kurdish political priorities shifted toward safeguarding the region's future. Between 2014 and 2017, as Kurdish forces led battles against ISIS, voter turnout in some conservative districts shifted decisively in favor of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). Yet, popular piety remains deeply embedded in Kurdish society. Daily religious practices—ranging from wearing the hijab and attending mosques to following Sufi traditions—coexist with strong political loyalty to secular nationalist parties. This creates a paradox: while Islam holds a significant emotional and cultural presence, it has not translated into the same political traction. As Ahmad Haji Rashid observed, "deep-rooted popular Islam is one thing, and political Islam is another," underscoring the distinction between personal devotion and political engagement. Despite these complexities, the Kurdistan Islamic Union has remained a notable opposition force, rejecting what it perceives as populist rhetoric. "We chose not to join the latest government due to service and economic challenges and a lack of transparency," Political Bureau member Ghazi Saeed explained to Shafaq News. "Nevertheless, we preserved a solid level of representation—in fact, our seats in the Kurdistan Parliament rose from five to seven, even though the total number of contested seats was reduced." Saeed further emphasized that while some parties may experience temporary electoral success, "they quickly dissolve." The KIU, he added, places greater importance on consistency and principles than on chasing fleeting political waves.
Business Wire
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
WisdomTree Expands Global Reach With Strategic Collaboration in Korea and Key Hire
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WisdomTree, Inc. (NYSE: WT), a global financial innovator, today announced it has expanded its global footprint through a strategic collaboration with Korea Investment Management Co., Ltd. (KIM) in connection with the launch of a suite of innovative exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by KIM marketed under the ACE label for the Korean market. 'ACE' is the ETF branding used by Korea Investment Management for its locally listed ETFs. The ETFs are benchmarked to indexes incorporating WisdomTree's proprietary approach to U.S. quality dividend growth capture through its U.S. quality dividend growth methodology, including the WisdomTree U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in WisdomTree's mission to bring intelligent, research-driven investment solutions to new markets, reinforcing its leadership in global asset management. To spearhead this initiative, WisdomTree has appointed Junghee Han, formerly of Korea Investment & Securities (KIS) and Korea Investment Corporation (KIC), to lead the firm's expansion into the Korean market. With deep expertise in institutional asset management and a strong network across the region, Han is poised to drive impactful engagement with Korea's top investors and institutions. 'We are thrilled to collaborate with Korea Investment Management and support the expansion of WisdomTree's index-based strategies into new markets and an even broader global audience,' said Jarrett Lilien, President of WisdomTree. Han will report to Joseph Grogan, Head of Distribution, Americas, and play a key role in strengthening WisdomTree's institutional relationships in the region. 'I've had the pleasure of working with Junghee for many years. His in-depth knowledge of institutional investors, particularly in the Korean market, and his proven ability to foster long-term relationships make him a tremendous asset to our team,' said Grogan. 'I'm looking forward to working with him as WisdomTree accelerates our growth in Asia.' Han is a seasoned investment executive with over 20 years of experience in global finance, specializing in private credit, hedge funds, and alternative investments. He most recently served as CEO of SF Credit Partners LLC, managing underwriting and direct lending efforts. This collaboration underscores WisdomTree's commitment to deliver exceptional investment strategies to an increasingly interconnected global investor base. By supporting KIM's launch of these new products, WisdomTree is helping to expand access to its innovative dividend-growth strategies in Asia and for investors worldwide. As part of this initiative, the following funds are being launched by KIM specifically for the Korean market: KIM ACE US Dividend Quality ETF KIM ACE US Dividend Quality 50/50 Blended ETF KIM ACE US Dividend Quality Plus Covered Call Active ETF WisdomTree and Korea Investment Management will co-host an event in Seoul on May 13 th to commemorate the launch of the KIM ACE ETF suite. The event will feature press & institutional clients, stakeholders, and selected retail clients with pre-recorded videos from Professor Jeremy Siegel, WisdomTree's Senior Economist and Emeritus Professor of Finance at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The ETFs referenced herein are offered and managed by Korea Investment Management Co., Ltd. WisdomTree does not sponsor, issue, or distribute these products, and this communication does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. There are risks involved with investing, including the possible loss of principal. About WisdomTree WisdomTree is a global financial innovator, offering a diverse suite of exchange-traded products (ETPs), models and solutions, as well as digital asset-related products. Our offerings empower investors to shape their financial future and equip financial professionals to grow their businesses. Leveraging the latest financial infrastructure, we create products that emphasize access, transparency and provide an enhanced user experience. Building on our heritage of innovation, we offer next-generation digital products and services related to tokenized real world assets and stablecoins, as well as our blockchain-native digital wallet, WisdomTree Prime®, and institutional platform, WisdomTree Connect™.* * The WisdomTree Prime digital wallet and digital asset services and WisdomTree Connect institutional platform are made available through WisdomTree Digital Movement, Inc., a federally registered money services business, state-licensed money transmitter and financial technology company (NMLS ID: 2372500) or WisdomTree Digital Trust Company, LLC, in select U.S. jurisdictions and may be limited where prohibited by law. WisdomTree Digital Trust Company, LLC is chartered as a limited purpose trust company by the New York State Department of Financial Services to engage in virtual currency business. Visit the WisdomTree Prime mobile app or for more information. WisdomTree currently has approximately $118.6 billion in assets under management globally, as of May 12, 2025. For more information about WisdomTree, WisdomTree Connect and WisdomTree Prime, visit: Please visit us on X at @WisdomTreeNews. WisdomTree® is the marketing name for WisdomTree, Inc. and its subsidiaries worldwide. PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE VIA WISDOMTREE PRIME: NOT FDIC INSURED | NO BANK GUARANTEE | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT SIPC PROTECTED | NOT INSURED BY ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY The products and services available through the WisdomTree Prime app and WisdomTree Connect are not endorsed, indemnified or guaranteed by any regulatory agency. Category: Business Update
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Kim Kardashian arrives at Paris court to confront ‘Grandpa Robbers' who held her at gunpoint begging for her lif
KIM IN COURT Kim Kardashian arrives at Paris court to confront 'Grandpa Robbers' who held her at gunpoint begging for her lif Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KIM Kardashian has arrived at court to confront the "Grandpa Robbers" who held her at gunpoint as she begged for her life. Ten suspects have been on trial since last month over the 2016 heist which saw the reality star lose $10million worth of jewellery in Paris. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up Kim was spotted on the steps of at the Palais de Justice in central Paris where she will testify on Tuesday afternoon. The reality star wore a black suit with oversized sunglasses and a massive diamond necklace and ear cuff. The reality star flew into the French capital on Monday on a private jet supported by her mother Kris Jenner and her boyfriend Corey Gamble. The reality star's pal Simone Harouche, 45, testified at the courthouse on Tuesday morning. Harouche was spotted arriving at the court wearing a floor length black coat, accompanied by her lawyer. The reality star's stylist was in a nearby room in the hotel when the terrifying raid took place in 2016. She reportedly locked herself in the bathroom and called Kim's security guard when she heard screams. She told the court how Kim begged: "I have babies & I need to live."
Euronews
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Euronews
Judo Grand Slam 2025: Golden Finale in Astana
On the third and final day of the 2025 Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam the heavyweights stepped up, following 2 days of nonstop action and breathtaking ippons, and they didn't disappoint here in Astana. At -90kg six-time grand slam winner Mikhail IGOLNIKOV was up against newcomer Egor MALKIN. A well-timed change of direction and a 5 second hold down secured victory for IGOLNIKOV. Masdar CEO Mr Mohamed Jamil AL RAMAHI was on hand to award the medals. In -78kg Minju KIM of Korea met Mao IZUMI in a tense final. Only a single yuko score would decide the winner, with KIM landing a seo-toshi to give her her first grand slam gold. She was awarded her medals by IJF Education & Coaching Director Mr Mohammed MERIDJA. At -100kg top seed Dota ARAI of Japan was up against Daniel EICH of Switzerland in the fight for first place. In an exhilarating set of exchanges ARAI went ahead scoring waza-ari, to which Eich quickly responded. It was a decisive uchi-mata from Arai that earned him the gold. An incredible display of judo talent and sportsmanship. He was awarded his medal by Sport Qory Director Mr Yerlan AUGANBAYEV. At +78kg Hyeonji LEE of Korea met Julia TOLOFUA of France. It was a closely fought contest with LEE scoring a yuko to take her first-grand slam gold. The medals were awarded by IJF Sport Director Mr Michael TAMURA. In the +100kg Hyoga OTA of Japan made it to his 7th grand slam final. He was competing against home favourite Yerassyl KAZHYBAYEV. OTA silenced the home crowd with a perfectly executed Uchi-mata. Gold for Japan. The medals were awarded by Kazakhstan Minister of Tourism and Sports Mr Yerbol MYRZABOSSYNOV. On this the last day of competition, the Kazakh team had plenty to celebrate with bronze medals for Marat BAIKAMUROV and Bakzhan BAITAS in the -100kg category. It's been a tournament filled with high-impact judo and unforgettable moments. The world tour will return in one months time for the 2025 world judo championships. We'll see you in Budapest. An anti-immigration protest was held in Poland this weekend, with far-right political groups attending the demonstration in Warsaw. The participants of the march oppose the creation of integration and assistance centres for immigrants in Poland, and a petition to restore control over the Polish-German border was handed over to Prime Minister's Office. The protest was organised by Robert Bakiewicz, the leader of the Independence March Association. "We are marching to fight for a free, independent, sovereign Poland without a massive immigration, without imposing us here migrants who are culturally alien, without imposing us islam, without sharia zones, without rapes on women, without attacks in public schools on our children," he said. In the early months of 2022, as Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, millions of Ukrainians — mostly women and children — fled to Poland, where they were met with an extraordinary outpouring of sympathy. Ukrainian flags appeared in windows. Polish volunteers rushed to the border with food, diapers, SIM cards. Some opened their homes to complete strangers. In the face of calamity, Poland became not just a logistical lifeline for Ukraine, but a paragon of human solidarity. Three years later, Poland remains one of Ukraine's staunchest allies — a hub for Western arms deliveries and a vocal defender of Kyiv's interests. But at home, the tone toward Ukrainians has shifted. Nearly a million Ukrainian refugees remain in Poland, with roughly 2 million Ukrainian citizens overall in the nation of 38 million people. Many of them arrived before the war as economic migrants. As Poland heads into a presidential election on 18 May, with a second round expected 1 June, the growing fatigue with helping Ukrainians has become so noticeable that some of the candidates have judged that they can win more votes by vowing less help for Ukrainians.
Business Wire
06-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Vibrint and Invary Join Forces to Advance Kernel-Level Zero Trust Solutions
ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vibrint, a leading innovator in defense technology solutions, today announced a strategic partnership with Invary to deliver a breakthrough Zero Trust solution designed specifically for national security and defense environments. Invary is a pioneer in runtime integrity solutions, and its collaboration with Vibrint focuses on embedding Zero Trust principles at the kernel level to defend against zero-day threats and enhance mission system resilience for federal customers. 'Zero trust needs to extend below the operating system to truly defend against today's most advanced threats.' -- Tom Lash, CEO of Vibrint. Share 'Zero trust needs to extend below the operating system to truly defend against today's most advanced threats,' said Tom Lash, CEO of Vibrint. 'Through this collaboration with Invary, we're delivering runtime monitoring at the foundational level of mission systems, ensuring operational integrity and protecting our customers where it matters most.' Built for highly sensitive, multidomain mission environments, the solution integrates Vibrint's secure enterprise architecture with Invary's real-time Kernel Integrity Measurement (KIM) technology. This runtime integrity solution, developed for and proven by a federal national security agency customer and now licensed for broader use, continuously monitors system behavior at the core, ensuring that the OS is uncompromised — a critical advancement where traditional perimeter- and OS-level security models fall short. How It Works Traditional cybersecurity tools assume the underlying OS is trustworthy — a critical vulnerability exploited by sophisticated adversaries. The Vibrint solution with Invary flips this model by continuously verifying system behavior at runtime through real-time kernel monitoring, enabling immediate detection and response to unauthorized changes or malware before they escalate. The integrated solution offers: 'We are redefining the foundation of trust by ensuring that mission systems are not just secured — they are verifiably behaving as intended at all times,' said Jason Rogers, CEO of Invary. 'This is the level of Zero Trust assurance that national security demands.' Get the White Paper Learn more about how Vibrint and Invary are advancing zero trust from the core out by reading Unbreakable Trust: Delivering a Kernel-Level Zero Trust Solution for Mission-Critical Defense Systems. Vibrint helps national security customers Make the Right Call, sustaining mission advantage at the forefront of intelligence gathering and analysis. Our teams of technologists, analysts and mission specialists pursue innovation in high-performance computing, SIGINT research and analysis, software and systems development, and mission resilience. The systems we create and the services we provide enhance our customers' capacity and capability for harvesting and harnessing data, enhancing the quality and speed of mission-critical decisions. Within our Collaboration Lab environment, we leverage our technical expertise to explore future capabilities vital to the U.S. national security mission. Vibrint is based in Annapolis Junction, Maryland. Find us at and @Vibrint on LinkedIn and Instagram. About Invary Invary delivers industry-leading Runtime Integrity solutions that ensure the security and confidentiality of critical systems. Built on NSA-licensed technology, Invary provides comprehensive protection for Linux, Windows, eBPF and Trusted Execution Environments. By continuously verifying runtime integrity, Invary safeguards systems against tampering and advanced threats, enabling Zero Trust Architectures across federal and commercial sectors. For more information, visit
