Kurdistan

Our research explores the lived experiences, aspirations, and frustrations of Kurdish millennials—often referred to as “Generation 2000”—who have come of age under Kurdish self-rule in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Based on extensive fieldwork, including in-depth interviews and focus group discussions conducted between 2018 and 2021,our research offers a rare and vivid portrayal of a generation navigating the tensions of post-conflict recovery, entrenched political stagnation, and mounting economic uncertainty. Unlike their parents, these young Kurds carry no direct memory of Saddam Hussein’s regime, yet they inherit its trauma while facing a new wave of disillusionment under an autonomous, yet increasingly fragile, governance structure.

Moving beyond macro-political narratives, our research foregrounds the voices of youth who stand at the intersection of resilience and resignation. From political disengagement and social frustration to grassroots activism and the psychological toll of brain drain, this study delves into the cultural and structural forces shaping the lives of this young generation. Their stories reveal not only the burdens they bear but also the radical hope and creativity they bring to imagining a different future. Through this comic book, we aim to communicate their realities in a format that is accessible, human-centered, and urgent—inviting readers to engage with the complex and compelling dynamics of youth, identity, and agency in contemporary Kurdistan.

Content Warning: Depictions of Violence

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