Bilgay Duman is a doctoral researcher at Abant Izzet Baysal University. He wrote his postgraduate thesis on “The Turkmen and Kirkuk in the post-Saddam Period.” He serves as an Iraq studies coordinator at the Center for Middle East Studies based in Ankara. His articles and interviews have been published in the national and international media. He has frequently carried out field studies in the Middle East, been part of international watchdog teams, and served as a United Nations election observer during elections in Iraq and Afghanistan.