In a new analysis for @gulfstatesinst.bsky.social, Director of the Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace at @ausis.bsky.social, @yerevansaeed.bsky.social examines the challenges that thwart Iraq’s ambitions to become a major player in the Middle East. agsi.org/analysis/bag...

Following a forty-year conflict, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or P.K.K., announced that it would disband and end its armed struggle against Turkey. This move comes months after imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan urged the group to disarm, @nytimes.com reports. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/w...

Read our April newsletter to learn about the latest work of the Initiative. This issue includes the Director’s note on Kurdistan as a religious safe haven, a recap of recent events, and interviews on Kurdish art & student experiences. Read more here: mailchi.mp/7b9ca1527c77...

Join @ausis.bsky.social Prof. @yerevansaeed.bsky.social's online webinar “Reversing Autonomy: Baghdad’s Strategy to Roll Back Kurdistan’s Development” on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from 2-3 p.m. EST. Link here: www.securityincontext.com/posts/event-...

In this new piece for MEPS Insights, Director of the Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace at @ausis.bsky.social, @yerevansaeed.bsky.social outlines the rationale for the State Department to issue a tailored travel advisory for the Kurdistan Region. www.mepsforum.org/post/it-is-t...

April 14 marks #Anfal #Genocide Remembrance Day. From 1987 to 1989, the former Iraqi regime waged a brutal campaign against the #Kurds, systematically massacring approximately 182,000 men, women, and children and burying them in mass graves across the Iraqi deserts.

“For Baghdad, oil is the matter of sovereignty and they don’t care about financial losses coming from Kurdistan oilfields,” said Director @yerevansaeed.bsky.social in an interview for Gulf States Newsletter, in the context of the BP-Iraq oil deal in Kirkuk. www.gsn-online.com/news-centre/...

Goodbye US Institute of Peace! Thank you for advancing #democracy by working for global peace. I will miss the #Nigeria governors forum, and many thanks for your interest in my research on participatory constitution-making. Great to be among new friends.

Join us for an engaging conversation on the future of Syria. Register to hear distinguished speakers General Joseph Votel, @carolinerose8.bsky.social, and Sirwan Kajjo, with moderation by @ausis.bsky.social Prof. @yerevansaeed.bsky.social. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/post-assad...

Quoted in the Kurdistan Chronicle, @yerevansaeed.bsky.social, Director of the Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace at @ausis.bsky.social, comments on tensions between Erbil and Baghdad pertaining to the Iraq Development Road. kurdistanchronicle.com/babat/3782

I am pleased to share @kurdishsis.bsky.social March Newsletter, which includes reflection from my recent #Kurdistan trip, publications, events, interviews, and other activities. mailchi.mp/191a9683efce...

Our panel on Syria has been rescheduled to April 15, 2025, from 2:00pm-3:30pm. Register to hear speakers General Joseph Votel, @carolinerose8.bsky.social, and Sirwan Kajjo, with moderation by @ausis.bsky.social Prof. @yerevansaeed.bsky.social. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/post-assad...

Watch @kurdistan24tv.bsky.social's coverage of our Newroz Celebration: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo93...

Read about our Newroz Celebration, as covered by @rudawenglish.bsky.social. www.rudaw.net/english/worl...

Yesterday, the @ausis.bsky.social Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace hosted its annual Newroz reception to celebrate the New Kurdish Year 2725 and mark the arrival of Spring. The event welcomed people from diverse cultures and backgrounds to celebrate the new year.

Barzani Peace Fellows explained to the audience the importance and symbolism of Newroz for the Kurds and shared their personal experiences celebrating the holiday.

Live Kurdish music played as guests enjoyed Persian food and viewed traditional Kurdish rugs and fabrics. Members of the Kurdish, Persian, and other communities who celebrate Newroz came together to reflect on the arrival of spring and celebrate unity. Thank you for joining us!

Don't miss out! Register and join us for a delightful evening of Kurdish music, delicious food, and cultural celebration as we come together to honor Newroz. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/newroz-cul...

Director of the Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace and the Barzani Scholar in Residence at @ausis.bsky.social, @yerevansaeed.bsky.social provided opening remarks for the celebration. “Newroz is more than just a new beginning—it is a powerful symbol of freedom, unity, and hope.”

Join us for an engaging fireside chat with His Excellency Nizar Al-Khairallah, Iraqi Ambassador to the United States for a discussion on evolving Iraq-United States relations, with moderation by @ausis.bsky.social Prof. @yerevansaeed.bsky.social. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/ambassador...

I will be discussing, among other topics, #Syria's new administration's approach for governance at the American University's panel event on Feb 11. I will be joined by General Joseph Votel, Professor Yerevan Saeed, and Sirwan Kajjo, and you can register here:

The Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace is excited to share all the work completed this past year. Read more about our achievements here: mailchi.mp/3801b86a3e42...

Join us for a discussion on the dynamics of U.S.-Kurdistan-Iraq relations under the new U.S. administration, featuring @AU_SIS Prof. Yerevan Saeed in conversation with former Deputy Speaker of the Kurdistan Parliament, Dr. Hemin Hawrami. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/shaping-th...

Join us for an insightful discussion on the future of Syria in the aftermath of the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, featuring distinguished speakers General Joseph Votel, @carolinerose8.bsky.social, and Sirwan Kajjo. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/post-assad...

The Barzani Peace Fellowship is a unique scholarship opportunity for graduate students passionate about Kurdish affairs and peacebuilding. If you are interested in applying, please reach out to [email protected] for more information. Meet our Fellows here: www.american.edu/sis/research...