The story: Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court has stirred controversy over fresh rulings on public sector salaries and elections in the Kurdistan region. Observers say the decisions reflect a broader rebalancing of political authority in Iraq, ultimately weakening the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) ability to manage its own affairs. The rulings also add to questions about the top court’s influence—and whether it is overstepping its mandate.

The coverage: The Federal Supreme Court made two major decisions regarding Iraqi Kurdistan on Feb. 21. The first—and likely most consequential—relates to the ongoing budget dispute between the federal government and...