Masoud Barzani’s Difficult Task of Coping with the Triple Challenge in the KRG

Masoud Barzani, the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq (KRG), is facing three challenges; first from the Gorran-led opposition, second from the threat posed by ISIS, and third from the economic recession. These challenges have been putting mounting pressure on the authority of Mr. Barzani. Therefore, it is highly likely that if the deteriorating situation stemming from these challenges continues, an intra-Kurdish fighting, which might lead to an intervention by the regional actors, may occur. Besides, in case of such a chaos in the KRG, Iran might be the only beneficiary.