Dore Canyon in Kurdistan from an aerial view. A bush with yellow leaves frames the massive landscape in the foreground.

Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace

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

Dore Canyon in Kurdistan from an aerial view. A bush with yellow leaves frames the massive landscape in the foreground.

Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace is a research initiative at the School of International Service at American University.

Contact Us

kurdishsis@american.edu

4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016 United States

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. We’ll also draw attention to the positive contributions of the Kurdish diaspora worldwide.

This initiative is focused on four pillars:

Education
Empathy
Community
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 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.

Recent Articles

Several oil refinery chimneys expelling smoke in a mountainous area.

BP's Return to Kirkuk

The flags of the United States and Kurdistan in front of a sunset on the mountains.

Roadmap to Improve Kurdish-U.S. Relationships Workshop Report

In the Media

Publications

2025 Publications

Kurdistan Has Emerged from Its Latest Elections More Divided Than Ever (via New Lines Institute)
BP’s Return to Kirkuk (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington

2024 Publications

China's Rise in Iraq's Energy Sector: From Newcomer to Dominant Player (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington)
The Kurdish View on the U.S. Election (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington)
An Attack in Iraq Sends a Message: Closed To Western Energy Business (via New Lines Institute) (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington)
Erdogan’s Landmark Baghdad Visit Signals Support for Ambitious Infrastructure Project (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington)
Prime Minister Sudani's Pivotal US Visit and Its Implications for Iraq's Future (via The Wilson Center)
Iraqi Provincial Elections Could Come With Major Political and Security Ramifications (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington)
America must stop treating the Kurds like temporary allies (via The Hill)

2023 Publications

Iraq's Supreme Court Removes Parliamentary Speaker (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington)
Developing a Practical Model to Solve the Iraq-KRG Oil Crisis (via Washington Institute's Fikra Forum)
Baghdad Squeezes Kurdistan Region on Legal and Economic Fronts, Prompting Crisis (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington)
Budding Kurdish-UAE Relations (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington)
Trilateral Agreement Necessary to Resolve Turkey-Iraq Oil Dispute (via Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington)

Interviews and Media Appearances

2025 Interviews and Media Appearances

No Agreement Reached Regarding Development Road: KRG (via Kurdistan Chronicle)
Kurdish leaders seek unity amid Syria's shifting landscape (via VOA News)

2024 Interviews and Media Appearances

Calls mount for US to sanction Turkey over possible invasion of Kurdish Syria (via The National)
Iraqi Kurdistan holds elections amid crude export deadlock, tense Baghdad relations (via S&P Global)
Strikes on Kurdistan Region Economic Sector via (Kurdistan 24)
Drone Attack Kills Four at Khor Mor Gas Field (via Kurdistan Chronicle)
Post from Washington Program (via alSharqiya TV)
Iraq Event Podcast: Why Did Sudani go to America? (via Rudaw Podcast)
Iraqi PM's U.S. visit: Kurdistan Region's role highlighted (via The New Region)
NRT TV Discussion Program on Resumption of KRG Oil to International Market (via NRT News)
Halabja Chemical Gas was Commemorated in Washington (via VOA News)
Happy Nowruz! Five Facts About the Persian New Year  (via American University)
Election Announcement Positive Step For Kurdistan Region: Experts (via Kurdistan Chronicle)
Prime Minister Barzani Concludes U.S. Visit (via Kurdistan Chronicle)
Iraqi Court’s Decision Threatens to Undermine Kurdish Autonomy (via VOA News)
Interview on withdrawal of U.S forces from Iraq (via Channel 8)
Interview with Dr. Yerevan Saeed, Mustafa Barzani Scholar in Residence at the AU (via Kurdistan in America)
Interview regarding U.S. forces withdrawal from Iraq (via Rudaw TV)

2023 Interviews and Media Appearances

The PKK factor in Iraq-Turkey relations (via Amwaj Media)
School year in Iraqi Kurdistan at risk as KRG ignores teachers' demands (via The New Arab)