US elections and the transfer of power from one administration to the next are closely watched worldwide, no more so than in Kurdistan Region and Iraq. The events of January 6 caused shock and consternation, and for those of us who frequently meet with members of congress, they also caused grave concern for the safety of members. However, the fact that Congress returned to its work within hours was heartening and the peaceful inauguration demonstrated the strength of American institutions.

Kurdistan Region has worked closely with Republican and Democratic administrations over the years and appreciates the support and interest of representatives and officials of both parties. Kurdish leaders congratulated President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as Secretary of State Tony Blinken and expressed their desire for continuing to work closely together. The KRG Representation in the United States also extends its heartfelt congratulations to the new administration and members of both parties who were elected to the US Congress, especially members of the Kurdish American Congressional Caucus.

Turning to Iraq, this month the Council of Ministers approved the decision of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to postpone Iraq-wide elections from June to October 2021. Early elections are among the key demands of protesters since 2019 and became a pledge by Prime Minister Mustafa Kadhimi on becoming premier. Elections were due to be held in mid-2022 but were brought forward to June 2021 until IHEC said it needed more time to prepare for the elections and October 10 became the new date. However, IHEC’s technical preparations are just one part of the picture.

Parliamentarians must complete the law relating to the federal court, which is the only entity that can approve election results, and then vote to dissolve parliament. It is one of only two ways to allow early elections to take place. The United Nations is providing technical election assistance to Iraq and there will be a call for international observers. When the elections will take place remains a question.

In all parts of Kurdistan, the seventh anniversary this month of the liberation of Kobane from ISIS was noted. The town in Syria was besieged in 2014 by ISIS terrorists who faced resistance by the People’s Protection Units (YPG). Peshmerga Forces from the Kurdistan Region in Iraq crossed into Syria, through Turkey, to battle the fierce offensive by ISIS. Backed by US and Coalition airstrikes, Kurdish forces liberated Kobane, which became a turning point in the war against ISIS and a symbol of Kurdish unity. Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, in a tweet on January 26, said, ‘Today marks far more than the liberation of Kobane from ISIS occupation and tyranny; it was a transcendent moment that brought together the Kurdish people against a common enemy. And it is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve through unity and cooperation.’

Before closing, I would like to highlight a publication and a podcast. The Kurdistan in America podcast is the official podcast of the KRG Representation in the United States. This month, we feature a discussion with the President and of the University of Kurdistan (AUK) and the Secretary of the Board of Trustees. AUK is one of two American universities in Kurdistan, the other being the American University of Iraq Slemani – both of which have received funding from the US Department of State. You can listen to the podcast here: Season 2 Episode 1

Finally, the magazine Brand Kurdistan has published a special edition that can be downloaded for free and includes interviews with Kurdistan’s top leaders, officials, and business representatives, and includes tantalizing sections on tourism and culture. The magazine can be downloaded here: Brand Kurdistan

Representative to the United States

Kurdistan Regional Government

This episode of the Kurdistan in America features a discussion with two distinguished guests from the American University of Kurdistan (AUK): Dr. Honar Issa, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Randall Rhodes, the President of the American University of Kurdistan. As a pioneer at the university, Dr. Honar discusses the university's mission and vision, its challenges during the establishment phase, the current state of the education system in Kurdistan, and offers reform recommendations. Additionally, Dr. Rhodes shares his short-term and long-term goals as the university president, discusses the grant awarded by the United States government, and gives his opinion on how the Kurdistani diaspora can help the university specifically and developing Kurdistan in general. Today, the AUK has partnerships with seven universities in the United States and is seeking accreditation with the New England Commission of Higher Education.

The Washington Institute hosted an on-the-record virtual Policy Forum with three senior U.S. and Iraqi Kurdish officials to discuss the findings of a recent study on the natural gas sector's future in the Kurdistan Region conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy and its partners. The discussion also highlights supporting initiatives involving the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation,

A group of Kurdish and Spanish musicians got together for a performance that was a musical dialogue between traditional Kurdish music and Flamenco rhythms, called ‘From Sulaimani to Spain’s Seville’. The performance featured Kurdistan’s Bejan Jaza and Spain’s Inma La Carbonera.