Kurdistan in America

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In this episode of the Kurdistan in America podcast, brought to you by the Kurdistan Regional Government Representation in the United States, host Delovan Barwari takes a closer look at the recent parliamentary elections in Kurdistan, held on October 20th.

Delovan is joined by Dr. Mohammedali Yaseen Taha, a former Kurdistan Parliament member, academic, and current adviser to the KRG Prime Minister. With his background in political science, Dr. Taha shares valuable insights into how the election unfolded, the challenges faced on election day, and the steps ahead for forming a new government.

They also discuss recent federal court rulings that could impact the electoral process and consider how the upcoming census might shape the political landscape in Kurdistan. The episode wraps up with thoughtful recommendations for strengthening candidate quality in future elections.

Tune in for an in-depth conversation on this pivotal moment for Kurdistan’s political future.

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In this episode of the Kurdistan in America podcast, host Delovan Barwari is joined by Emma DeCaro and Dr. Karwan Al-Dosakee to discuss the Kurdistan Deaf Human Rights Initiative, a transformative project aimed at advancing the rights and services for the deaf community in Kurdistan. They shed light on the challenges faced by deaf individuals, such as the lack of access to sign language education beyond the 9th grade and the very limited opportunities available from 1st to 9th grade.

Emma, Dr. Karwan, and Delovan discuss how the first phase of the project trained sign language interpreters at the American University of Kurdistan in Dohuk and established an advisory committee that includes key stakeholders from the deaf community and government ministries.

Funded by the US Embassy through IREX, the second phase is now ending, focusing on laying the groundwork for standardizing a Kurdish Sign Language (KuSL) documentation process with its natural variations. This process can ultimately support the development of a community-based dictionary to increase opportunities for Deaf education and interpreter training.

This episode offers an in-depth look at the impactful work of the Kurdistan Deaf Human Rights Initiative, a project that began at the KRG Representation and is supported by the KRG, NGOs, and international partners to improve education, accessibility, and rights for the deaf community across Kurdistan.

Tune in to this important discussion on the needs of the Deaf community in Kurdistan. The full transcript, interpreted in Kurdish Sign Language (KuSL), is also available on YouTube—click the link here—with interpretation by Ahmed Ali.

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In this episode of the "Kurdistan in America" podcast, host Delovan Barwari talks with Rick Hall, Co-Founder and Educational Director of Prairie Rose Agricultural Institute, and Jihan Brifki, Executive Director of Hanasa Plus. They discuss the environmental challenges in the Kurdistan Region and how the Earth Partnership program can address these issues through education.

The Earth Partnership program, started at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1991, focuses on restoring native habitats to promote community learning and land stewardship. Rick shares how these ideas can be applied in Kurdistan, while Jihan highlights ways to involve local communities and manage resources effectively.

Together, Delovan, Rick, and Jihan are working on a project to introduce the Earth Partnership program into the KRG’s K-20 education system, aiming to teach these principles and raise environmental awareness across Kurdish society.

Tune in to learn about the future of environmental education in Kurdistan.

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Welcome back to the "Kurdistan in America" podcast, the official podcast of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Representation in the United States, hosted by Delovan Barwari, Director of Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives.

In this episode, we delve into the harrowing events of 3 August 2014, when ISIS launched a brutal genocidal campaign against the Yezidi community in Sinjar. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Yezidi Genocide, a tragic event that has left deep scars. 

Around 250,000 Yezidis, nearly half of their community, remain displaced, with about a quarter having fled the country. Over 2,600 Yezidi women are still missing, and many mass graves are yet to be uncovered. The security situation in Sinjar and its surrounding areas remains unstable, with approximately 70 percent of Sinjar's infrastructure in ruins. Additionally, the absence of a special international tribunal for ISIS crimes has resulted in a significant lack of justice and accountability.

In this sixth episode of season five, we are honored to welcome Ms. Sozan Safar, President of the DAK Organization for Yazidi Women Development. Based in Sharia, Duhok, DAK has been dedicated to supporting Yezidi women since June 2015, with the overarching goal of empowering and aiding all vulnerable women. 

Ms. Safar discusses the current situation of the Yezidi community, the unstable security and infrastructure in Sinjar, and the urgent need for justice and accountability.

Stay tuned for this insightful and timely conversation with Ms. Suzan Safar.

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Welcome to 'The Kurdistan in America' podcast, the official podcast of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Representation in the United States. Hosted by Delovan Barwari, the main objective of this podcast is to delve into the rich ties between Kurdistan and the United States.

In the fifth episode of season five, we are honored to host Dr. Carolyn Melby, Co-Founder and Treasurer of the Kurdistan Nursing and Midwifery Development Foundation. Carolyn is a distinguished nurse educator and philanthropist with a remarkable career in global health, serving as a teacher, administrator, and policy maker. She holds a PhD and is an RN, ANP, and CCH Global Health Consultant.

This episode features an in-depth discussion on the mission and vision of the Kurdistan Nursing and Midwifery Development Foundation, the pressing challenges facing the nursing sector in Kurdistan, and Carolyn's own NGO, The Carl and Enga Melby Charitable Foundation. Carolyn also shares her reflections and experiences on the Kurds and Kurdistan.

Tune in for an insightful and essential conversation with Dr. Carolyn Melby, as we explore the critical work being done to advance nursing and midwifery in Kurdistan and beyond.

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Welcome to 'The Kurdistan in America' podcast, the official podcast of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Representation in the United States.

In this fourth episode of season five, host Delovan Barwari welcomes Mr. Stephen Fox, a PhD student at the University of Kentucky's Department of Anthropology, where he also serves as a Graduate Teaching Instructor. Stephen's primary focus is on Cultural Anthropology with a particular interest in Kurdish culture and history. 

This episode centers on anthropology, inspired by the recent discovery by University of Cambridge scientists of the Neanderthal woman, Shanadar Z, found in Kurdistan's Shanadar Cave. The two delve into the historical significance of anthropology for the Kurds, its role in shaping Kurdish cultural identity, and its impact on contemporary Kurdish society.

Stephen also shares insights from his recent visit to the Kurdistan Region for his PhD research, along with reflections from his Masters research and personal experiences with the Kurds.

Stay tuned for this timely and much-needed conversation with Mr. Stephen Fox.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.