Kurdistan in America Kurdistan Regional Government Representation in the United States

Welcome to 'The Kurdistan in America' podcast, the official podcast of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Representation in the United States. In this episode, host Delovan Barwari welcomes Professor David Romano, the Thomas G. Strong Chair in Middle East Politics at Missouri State University.

Dr. Romano is the author of "The Kurdish Nationalist Movement" and the co-editor of "Conflict, Democratization, and the Kurdish Issue in the Middle East" and "The Kurds in the Middle East: Enduring Problems and New Dynamics." His work has also appeared in prestigious journals.

In this episode, we delve into the impact of the conflict between Israel and Iran on Kurdistan and Iraq, as well as the Erbil-Baghdad disputes, with a particular focus on the Iraqi Supreme Court rulings. We also discuss potential avenues for US intervention to mitigate these disputes. Professor Romano shares personal reflections on his experiences visiting Kurdistan.

Stay tuned for this informative conversation with Dr. David Romano.

Welcome to 'The Kurdistan in America' podcast, the official podcast of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Representation in the United States. In this second episode of season five, hosted by Delovan Barwari, we are honored to have a very special guest, Mr. Falah Mustafa.

Mr. Falah Mustafa, Special Assistant for Foreign Affairs to the President of Kurdistan Region, His Excellency Nechirvan Barzani, delves into the recent visit of the Kurdistan Region Presidency delegation to Washington DC. From navigating the complexities of Erbil-Baghdad relations to discussing potential US intervention to mitigate disputes, this conversation offers invaluable insights into Kurdistan's geopolitical dynamics.

Moreover, Mr. Mustafa shares personal reflections on his birthplace and memorable experiences visiting Washington DC, providing a unique blend of personal narrative and diplomatic analysis.

Join us on 'The Kurdistan in America' for engaging dialogue, expert analysis, and a deeper understanding of US-Kurdistan relations, along with valuable insights about the political situation in Iraq, Kurdistan, and the broader region.

Welcome to 'The Kurdistan in America' podcast, the official podcast of the KRG Representation in Washington DC, hosted by Delovan Barwari. In the Season Five kickoff episode, we are honored to welcome Dr. Yerevan Saeed, the Mustafa Barzani Scholar in Residence at American University and a Non-Resident Fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute.

In this episode, Dr. Saeed shares his academic journey, including his impressive accomplishment of earning a PhD in Peace and Conflict Resolution from George Mason University. We'll also explore his role as the Mustafa Barzani Scholar in Residence.

We delve into Dr. Saeed's recent thought-provoking article in The Hill, titled 'America must stop treating the Kurds like temporary allies.' Our conversation goes deep into topics such as Iran's ballistic attack on Erbil, the U.S. response to these attacks, and the broader implications of America’s approach to Kurdish relations, all of which are highlighted in his article. Dr. Saeed also reflects on his hometown and his experience as a four-time refugee.

Join us for this enlightening discussion on Kurdish-American relations and the pressing geopolitical challenges of our time. Tune in now!

Welcome to a new episode of the 'Kurdistan in America' podcast, marking our twelfth and final episode of Season Four. We are honored to feature Ms. Bonnie Carroll, the president and founder of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a non-governmental organization dedicated to supporting families affected by military losses.

As we approach the new year, we'd like to take a moment to extend our warm wishes to our audience for a joyous holiday season and a New Year filled with hope and positivity.

Ms. Carroll, the surviving spouse of Brigadier General Tom Carroll, also served in the military, retiring as a Major in the US Air Force Reserve.

In her earlier civilian career, she served three Presidents in senior policy positions in Washington, D.C., lobbied on Defense and Aerospace issues, and was posted in Baghdad, Iraq from '03 to '04 during Operation Iraqi Freedom as an Advisor to the Ministry of Communications.

Her experiences in Iraq inspired a global network offering hope and healing to all those grieving a military loss. The connections she forged among widows and mothers of the Peshmerga and Iraqi Army laid the foundation for TAPS' research on supporting the enduring legacies of service and sacrifice—the families left behind.

Ms. Carroll was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama, the highest civilian recognition in the United States, in 2015.

In this episode, Ms. Carroll shares her experiences in the U.S. military, her time in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the inspiration behind establishing TAPS International, and her perspectives on the Kurdish people.

Join us on this enlightening journey as she shares her remarkable life story. 

Welcome to a new episode of the 'Kurdistan in America' podcast, marking our eleventh episode of Season Four. We are honored to feature retired Brigadier General Ernest C. Audino, a renowned strategic military leader and a seasoned expert in national security and foreign policy.

General Audino serves as the District Director for U.S. Congressman Michael Waltz and as a Senior Military Fellow at the Gold Institute for International Strategy. He is the only U.S. general officer to have served a full year as a combat advisor embedded inside a Kurdish Peshmerga brigade in Iraq and is authoring a book about this experience, emphasizing the Kurdish resilience and quest for freedom.

With a Bachelor of Science from West Point, two master's degrees, and a Juris Doctor, General Audino retired from the Army in 2011. 

In this episode, he discusses his motivations in Middle Eastern and Kurdish military affairs, the impact of the Israel-Gaza conflict on Kurdistan, U.S. deterrence in the region, and his perspectives on Kurdish Peshmerga forces. He also recommends policies for U.S. support of the Peshmerga and KRG.

Join us on this enlightening journey as General Audino shares his experience and knowledge, guiding us through the complex geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, with a focus on Kurdistan and Iraq.

Welcome to another insightful episode of the "Kurdistan in America" podcast, our tenth episode of Season Four. We are privileged to have Dr. Michael Knights, a renowned Middle East expert from The Washington Institute, join us.

Dr. Knights is the Jill and Jay Bernstein Fellow at The Washington Institute, specializing in the military and security affairs of Iraq, Iran, and the Gulf states. He also co-founded the Militia Spotlight platform, offering in-depth analysis of the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.

He earned his PhD from the Department of War Studies at King's College London.

In this episode, Dr. Knights discussed the challenges facing Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. He offered his take on the potential role Washington can play in addressing the disputes between Erbil and Baghdad. Additionally, he shared his personal perspectives on the Kurdish people and stressed the importance of Kurdish unity.

Join us on this enlightening journey as Dr. Michael Knights shares his comprehensive knowledge, guiding us through the ever-evolving geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.