Washington DC, USA (us.gov.krd) – KRG Representative Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman spoke at an American University panel discussion on Kurdistan Region’s state-building and national identity on April 17, 2023.

The event was sponsored by the American University's School of International Service and the Mustafa Barzani Scholar for Global Kurdish Studies program.

The panel discussion was moderated by Dilek Doski, a masters student of Kurdish origin, with Professor Keith Darden as the other speaker. Representative Abdul Rahman and Professor Darden discussed how the Kurdistan Region has established itself and shaped its identity despite various challenges. They assessed the current state of the region's political, social, and economic affairs, highlighting the ongoing cooperation of the Peshmerga forces with the US and the Global Coalition in the fight against terrorism.

‘We thank the American University's School of International Service and the Mustafa Barzani Scholar for Global Kurdish Studies program for sponsoring this important and interesting discussion with Professor Darden,’ said Ms. Abdul Rahman. ‘It is crucial to have this kind of dialogue to better understand Kurdistan’s progress as well as its future potential.’

The Mustafa Barzani Scholar for Global Kurdish Studies program is an academic initiative dedicated to promoting and supporting research and teaching related to the Kurdish people and their culture, history, and society. The American University's School of International Service is a leading school in the field of international relations, global politics, and diplomacy.