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Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace

Advancing understanding of Kurdish people, history, and culture through dialogue and scholarship

Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace is a research initiative at the School of International Service at Â鶹Æƽâ°æ.

Contact Us

kurdishsis@american.edu

4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United States

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A vibrant history; a challenging future

A people both ancient and indigenous to lands of the Middle East, the Kurds today represent the fourth largest ethnic group in the region. But the Kurds have never had a permanent, independent state. Who are the Kurds, and how has their culture come to signify so much about the beauty—and the challenges—of a most beautiful and challenging area of the world?

The Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace will use our platform to grow recognition of the long and rich history and cultural traditions of the Kurdish people. We’ll also work toward understanding of the onerous challenges faced by the Kurdish communities in the Middle East, including oppression and genocide. And we’ll draw attention to the positive contributions of the Kurdish diaspora worldwide.

Selected
Thematic Pillars
Our Team
Student Opportunities

This initiative is focused on four pillars:

  1. Education
  2. Empathy
  3. Community
  4. Advocacy

Our team will use publications, media commentary, public events, and social media to advance these pillars and a positive understanding of the Kurdish people.

Explore each pillar

The Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace is led by the Mustafa Barzani Scholar of Global Kurdish Studies, Yerevan Saeed. We are a passionate and motivated community. Interested in joining the team? Reach out to kurdishsis@american.edu.

Meet the team

The Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace includes the Barzani Peace Fellowship, a scholarship opportunity for graduate students. The fellowship stands as a beacon of hope for students passionate about Kurdish affairs, offering a unique scholarship opportunity to cultivate a new generation of leaders committed to fostering peace, understanding, and positive change.

Learn more

The Kurds are one of the world's largest ethnic groups without their own independent state. Their historical homeland, Kurdistan, stretches across parts of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria.

Upcoming Events

Poster that reads "Ambassadors Up-Close: Iraq-US Relations with Ambassador Al-Khairallah" with the headshots of Professor Yerevan Saeed and H.E. Ambassador Nizar Al-Khairallah

Canceled- Ambassadors Up-Close: Iraq-US Relations

H.E. Ambassador Nizar Al-Khairallah will discuss Iraq-US Relations with Yerevan Saeed.

Poster that reads "Post-Assad Syria: A Window of Hope or a New Crisis" with photos of Professor Yerevan Saeed, General Joseph Votel, Caroline Rose, and Sirwan Kajjo.

Post-Assad Syria: A Window of Hope or a New Crisis?

4/15 at 2:00pm: General Joseph Votel, Caroline Rose, and Sirwan Kajjo will discuss the future of Syria.

Past Events

Ambassador Silliman, President of the Arab Gulf Institute in Washington, SIS

US Foreign Policy in Focus

Ambassador Douglas A. Silliman and Yerevan Saeed discuss US foreign policy towards Iraq and the wider region in light of escalating geopolitical tensions.

SIS Online event Fractured Hopes the Frustrations of Federalism in Resolving Conflicts in Iraq with Yerevan Saeed and Dlawer Ala'Aldeen.

Fractured Hopes

Professor Dlawer Ala’Aldeen and Yerevan Saeed discuss federalism and resolving conflicts as it relates to Iraq and broader politics of the region.

In person event Exploring Kurdish Culture with Yerevan Saeed and Treefa Aziz.

Exploring Kurdish Culture and Politics

Treefa Aziz and Yerevan Saeed discuss Kurdish culture and politics.

In the Media

2024 Publications

  •  (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington)
  •  (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington)
  • (via New Lines Institute) (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington)
  •  (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington)
  • (via The Wilson Center)
  •  (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington)
  •  (via The Hill)

2023 Publications

  • (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington)
  • (via Washington Institute's Fikra Forum)
  • (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington)
  • (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington)
  • (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington)

  •  (via VOA News)

  • (via The National)

  •  (via S&P Global)

  • via (Kurdistan 24)

  •  (via Kurdistan Chronicle)

  • (via alSharqiya TV)

  • (via Rudaw Podcast)

  •  (via The New Region)

  • (via NRT News)

  • (via VOA News)

  • Happy Nowruz! Five Facts About the Persian New Year  (via Â鶹Æƽâ°æ)

  • (via Kurdistan Chronicle)

  • (via Kurdistan Chronicle)

  • (via VOA News)

  • (via Channel 8)

  • (via Kurdistan in America)

  • (via Rudaw TV)

  • (via Amwaj Media)

  • (via The New Arab)