By Jawad Qadir
Two decades ago, the Kurdish Globe emerged in a landscape of both challenge and hope. Founded as the Kurdistan Region gained constitutional recognition, the newspaper’s journey has mirrored the remarkable transformation of the region itself.
In those early days, Erbil’s infrastructure told a story of a place on the cusp of change. Nighttime electricity was a luxury, internet access remained limited to a privileged few, and smartphones were still years away from becoming commonplace. The city’s roads, pockmarked with potholes, reflected the physical challenges facing the region. Yet amid these material limitations, an invaluable resource flourished: the collective optimism about the future.
The media landscape presented its own hurdles. English-speaking journalists were scarce, making the Kurdish Globe’s mission to provide English-language coverage of Kurdistan particularly ambitious. As the region evolved, so did the newspaper, its pages chronicling the political and economic metamorphosis unfolding around it.
Today, the Kurdish Globe’s archives serve as an irreplaceable historical record, documenting Kurdistan’s journey from those formative days to its current state. For those who contributed to its pages, the publication represents more than just a newspaper—it stands as a repository of memories from a time of immense potential and rapid development.
The newspaper’s launch coincided with Kurdistan’s entrance into a modern era, marked by sweeping improvements in infrastructure and quality of life. The paved roads, airports, and cafes that seemed aspirational then have become reality. Educational institutions from kindergartens to universities have flourished, alongside private hospitals, sports facilities, and contemporary residential areas—all tangible symbols of the region’s progress.
Throughout these transformative years, the Kurdish Globe has served as both witness and participant. While some of its founding journalists have moved on to different pursuits, others have remained dedicated to its mission.
As it marks its twentieth anniversary, the Kurdish Globe’s significance extends beyond its role as a news source. It represents continuity amidst change, a chronicler of history as it unfolds, and a voice that must continue to be heard in the next chapter of Kurdistan’s story.
*The writer is the founder and first executive editor of the Kurdish Globe.