Is this what you call the American University? What kind of liberal education does it aim to provide its students?

Officially inaugurated on March 14, 2016, the ceremony was attended by Masoud Barzani, his son Masrour, and—symbolically—Masoud’s father, Mullah Mustafa Barzani, who passed away nearly four decades ago. The connection is unmistakable: this institution is branded with the Barzani name, legacy, and dominance.

The date itself coincides with Mullah Mustafa Barzani’s birthday, sending a clear and deliberate message: “This is a Barzanian university.” Need more proof? The university’s central structure is named the Mustafa Barzani Building.

Masoud Barzani, who attended the ceremony, is an illegal president. His presidential term was extended by two years, ending in June 2015, but he refused to step down. He signed the extension into law and then ignored his own signature. When the elected speaker of Kurdistan's parliament (from the Change Movement) sought to address the issue of Masoud’s expired term, Barzani responded by sending him home—an act outside his authority. Imagine an American president dismissing the Senate's head. The result? Chaos. For months, Kurdistan has been functioning without a proper parliament. Additionally, Masoud dismissed ministers from the Change Movement and replaced them with deputy ministers from his party. The prime minister, Nechirvan Barzani, is Masoud’s nephew.

Masrour Barzani, much like his father, is not an academic. Yet, he is believed to be the university’s de facto owner. He heads the Kurdistan Security Council and previously led Parastin, the intelligence agency controlled by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)—essentially, the Barzani family's party.

Though labeled a private institution, the American University in Duhok operates more as a commercial venture. Despite claims by its president that it is non-profit, it imposes high tuition fees on students. However, its $136 million construction costs were reportedly funded by the government—public funds diverted to a private enterprise.

Why Duhok, a city much smaller than Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region? The answer lies in geography and loyalty. Duhok is part of the Bahdinan region of Kurdistan, as is the Barzan area, while Erbil belongs to the Soran region. The Barzanis clearly chose a location tied to their stronghold.

The university’s president is well aware of the unwritten rules: he must defer to Masrour, his father, their relatives, and their directives. This is how things work in the “Emirate of Barzan.”

Welcome to the American University in Duhok—a symbol of despotism, family rule, and intelligence dominance, all cloaked in the veneer of liberal education.