Masoud Barzani (Kurdish: Mesud Barzan? born 16 August 1946) is an Iraqi Kurdish politician who has been President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region since 2005; as well as leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) since 1979.

Masoud Barzani succeeded his father; the Kurdish nationalist leader Mustafa Barzani; as the leader of the KDP in 1979. Working closely with his brother Idris Barzani until Idriss' death; Barzani and various other Kurdish groups fought Baghdad during the Iran-Iraq War. For much of this time; the Kurdish leadership was exiled to Iran. Pictures From History