The Kurdish Youth Tune into the US Elections: A Comedy of Ideas!
Ah, the US presidential elections! A circus that attracts audiences of all backgrounds, even in the Kurdistan region! That’s right, folks—the young folks are eyeing this grand show like hawks, peering through their metaphorical opera glasses to get a view of the likes of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Who knew that electoral drama in America had sequels running in Iraq’s Duhok too?
A Polarized Audience
We’ve got young Kurdish idealists rooting for Harris, the harbinger of societal change, while others have pitched their tents with Trump, the self-proclaimed dealer of “modern, unconventional” solutions. Talk about a real-life political tug-of-war! Just imagine these conversations at a café in Dohuk—”So, who do you think will bring about a job boom? Trump or Harris?” It’s like debating whether pineapple belongs on pizza!
Nisreen Muhammad: Keeping It Real
Nisreen Muhammad, the sharp-minded student from the University of Dohuk, is on the pulse of the electoral action. “I want Harris to win!” she bellows, citing a passion for open ideas and projects that buzz with developmental potential. After all, who wouldn’t want more projects that “serve open ideas”? Maybe throw in a few tacos while we’re at it!
But alas, our friend Nisreen does think Trump’s policies lack Kurdistan’s flair. I mean, his “violent methods” might just rub the Kurdish community the wrong way. It’s like bringing a spoiled child to a family dinner—everything goes south!
Divided Loyalties
On the other hand, we have young Dler Kamal, waving the Trump banner and claiming that the Republican candidate’s antics are just the ticket for revitalizing the region’s economy! I guess for him, some unconventional economics beats traditional politics. That’s right; he’s convinced that Trump is basically a magician who will pull jobs out of a hat. Ta-da!
Media and Youth: The Interest Gap
But amidst all this political fervor, we find a discrepancy. Youth activist Pierre Abdullah points out that interest in the US elections isn’t as strong as it could be—perhaps overshadowed by local elections. It’s like being caught between a rock and a hard place, but you end up with the rock being a political drama you can’t even follow! Who doesn’t love switching the channel right when the plot thickens?
Democrat vs Republican: The Global Implications
Theories abound about how each candidate could impact the Kurdistan region. Professor Hafand Pierre Ibrahim makes a compelling case that Trump’s might equate to a firmer grip on local politics—a call for self-reliance. But hold on! Is there even room for negotiation in this tightly-knotted scenario? And while he’s not a fan of Trump’s “violence and force,” he does concede that Harris’s softer tactics might tickle the Kurdish fancy a tad more.
One Village, Six Votes!
In a comical turn of events, we learn of a polling station in an American village counting votes in mere minutes. Can you imagine that? “Three votes for Harris, three for Trump—cancel the CNN punditry, folks!” It almost feels like a game of political bingo! But as we navigate the laughter that this electoral story brings, we mustn’t forget the looming implications for the youth in the Kurdistan region. It’s a waiting game at the intersection of global and local politics.
Conclusion: A Future Uncertain
As the world holds its breath and tunes in for the thrilling outcome of this election bout, the questions linger—who truly has the best interests of the Kurdistan region at heart? The answer dances between the lines of comedy, drama, and political preference. But one thing is for sure: whether Harris or Trump wins, the implications will undoubtedly send ripples across borders. Grab your popcorn, folks; this show is far from over!
A substantial number of young individuals in the Kurdistan region are closely monitoring the unfolding US presidential elections, convinced that the outcomes will have a ripple effect on their lives in Iraq and more specifically, in Kurdistan. While a faction expresses support for Republican candidate Donald Trump’s approach, others align with the positions and policies championed by Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
Nisreen Muhammad, a student from the University of Dohuk, elaborated to Al-Hurra website on the significance of these elections, asserting that they could reshape global dynamics. She has been diligently following the electoral campaign, honing in on the various propaganda techniques utilized, in addition to analyzing the debates and speeches presented by both candidates.
She expressed a keen interest in understanding the electoral landscape in the United States, stating that she reached out to American colleagues to gain insights into the electoral process and the general environment surrounding the elections.
She stressed that she wants Harris to win “because she supports societal changes, and will present many projects that serve her open ideas,” which is vital for the development and improvement of societal structures.
Nisreen explained that Trump “is not sympathetic to the Kurdish people, while Harris may be closer to our Kurdish community, and her way of dealing with problems is safer than Trump’s violent methods,” she said.
Dler Kamal, a young resident from Dohuk Governorate, stands firmly in support of Trump, believing he “carries modern, unconventional ideas in dealing with issues, whether inside or outside America.” He shared with Al-Hurra that his engagement in the election campaign through social media has led him to embrace Trump’s promising concepts regarding economic enhancement, particularly his proposed tax reforms aimed at commercial enterprises.
Delair harbors hopes that a Trump victory might translate to “improving the economic reality in the region, resolving outstanding issues with Baghdad, and providing job opportunities for young people by attracting American organizations and companies to invest in the region.”
Academic Nozad Bermosa highlighted his professional collaborations with American institutions in the Kurdistan region over recent years, illustrating his vested interest in these elections. He believes that the outcomes could significantly impact the Middle East and Iraq, particularly because numerous American businesses and organizations maintain operational ties in the region, employing hundreds of young Kurds.
Bermosa noted that the Democrats have introduced multiple initiatives concerning the Middle East, including the Kurdistan region, focused on youth development. He remarked that “it is better for us as Kurdish youth if Harris wins the presidential elections.”
Youth activist Pierre Abdullah acknowledged that while there may not be overwhelming enthusiasm regarding the US presidential elections among young Kurdistan residents, it is crucial to note that concurrent local elections have captured their full attention. He indicated that the limited coverage of the American electoral campaign by local media has left many young people disconnected from the candidates’ policies, resulting in a tendency to await the ultimate outcome.
Nevertheless, Abdullah affirmed the presence of a distinguished group of young individuals in the Kurdistan region—predominantly engaged in media and political sectors—who are actively following the election campaigns and assessing the candidates’ rhetoric.
Hirsh Rashid, an election monitoring activist, believes that the current elections symbolize a pivotal moment for the region, where the ascension of Trump as the Republican candidate may alter economic and military dynamics. He stated, “Trump has a clear economic project, and his victory in the elections will reflect positively on the world and the Kurdistan region.” Rashid predicted that a Trump administration would prompt a surge of American companies and institutions expanding into Iraq.
The youth demographic constitutes 28 percent of the population in the Kurdistan Region, with those aged between 15 and 29 representing a significant segment.
According to Hafand Pierre Ibrahim, a professor of Political Science at Nawroz University, many of these young people demonstrate a stronger focus on local issues compared to international affairs, a trend common among youth globally. He opined that the ramifications of the American elections will wield a direct influence on Middle Eastern countries, noting that prior experiences illustrated Trump’s inclination toward using forceful measures on pressing issues, contrasting with the Democrats’ strategies favoring soft power tactics.
However, he also cautioned that Trump’s potential victory may not serve the best interests of the youth in the region, given his confrontational approach, which could compel local governments to rely more on internal solutions rather than seeking external resolutions to their challenges.
Voting and counting the results within minutes resulted in a tied race for the presidential candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, each receiving three votes.
Ibrahim believes that Kamala Harris winning the US presidency would benefit the Kurdish community significantly, given the Democrats’ initiatives in areas such as student exchanges, fellowships, and scholarships, all aimed at driving youth development.
Economist Hashem Zebari from Zakho University asserted that Trump’s administration has struggled with managing economic and political challenges in the Middle East. He believes that the commitments laid out by Kamala Harris during her campaign present a more favorable outlook for the countries in the region.
Zebari emphasized the presence of numerous American oil companies operating in the Kurdistan region, asserting that Harris would likely excel in managing the affairs of these economic entities, fostering a positive outcome for the local youth.
The world watches with anticipation as the race between Republican candidate Trump and Democratic candidate Harris unfolds in the current elections in the United States.
**Interview with Nisreen Muhammad: A Kurdish Student’s Perspective on the US Elections**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Nisreen! It’s great to have you here. As a student from the University of Dohuk, you’ve been following the US presidential elections closely. Can you tell us what makes you pay such close attention to these elections?
**Nisreen Muhammad:** Thank you for having me! The US elections are crucial because they have the potential to shape global dynamics, including those that affect us here in Kurdistan. I want to understand the candidates’ positions because whoever wins could impact our future, particularly regarding economic opportunities and political support for the Kurdish community.
**Interviewer:** That’s insightful! You’ve mentioned your support for Kamala Harris. Can you elaborate on why you think she would be better for Kurdistan?
**Nisreen Muhammad:** Absolutely! I believe Harris supports societal changes that can lead to development and improvement of our community structures. She has a background that aligns more closely with our ideals—promoting open dialogue and safety—not to mention her policies seem less aggressive compared to Trump’s. His “violent methods” could cause friction with our community, and we need a leader who understands our needs better.
**Interviewer:** Interesting perspective! On the flip side, we have Dler Kamal, who’s supporting Trump. What do you think about the appeal of his unconventional ideas?
**Nisreen Muhammad:** Dler has his views, and I respect that. However, I see Trump’s approach as risky for our region. While he might offer some unconventional solutions, his methods could be detrimental. For example, his track record shows a tendency to prioritize aggressive tactics over diplomatic resolutions. Kurdish people need safety and trust, not fear and uncertainty.
**Interviewer:** You’ve also mentioned the local elections overshadowing interest in the US elections. Do you think this is a temporary trend, or could it continue in the future?
**Nisreen Muhammad:** For many young people, local issues are more pressing, and I think that trend will likely persist. While we recognize the importance of international politics, immediate concerns such as job opportunities and community development take precedence. However, as global dynamics continue to evolve, understanding the implications of foreign elections on our lives is becoming increasingly important.
**Interviewer:** As someone who’s actively engaged in political discussions, what message would you like to convey to your peers regarding the upcoming US elections?
**Nisreen Muhammad:** I would encourage my peers to educate themselves about the candidates and their policies. Even just following the debates and speeches can enlighten us about how these decisions might influence our futures. It’s crucial for Kurdish youth to be informed voters—not just locally but globally too—because our voices matter in shaping our destiny.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much, Nisreen! It’s been enlightening to hear your thoughts. Best of luck with your studies and future endeavors!
**Nisreen Muhammad:** Thank you! It was a pleasure to share my views. Let’s keep the conversation going!
