Podcasts about Iraqi Kurdistan

The Kurdistan Workers Party, the PKK, has announced the end to its more than forty-year fight against Turkey, a conflict that claimed more than 40,000 lives. But the declaration, called historic by Turkish officials, is being met by public skepticism with questions remaining over disarmament and its calls for democratic reforms. Upon hearing the news that the PKK was ending its war and disarming, Kurds danced in the streets of the predominantly Kurdish southeast of Turkey. The region bore the brunt of the brutal conflict, with the overwhelming majority of those killed being civilians, and millions more displaced.From armed struggle to political arena"It is a historic moment. This conflict has been going on for almost half a century," declared Aslı Aydıntaşbaş of the Brookings Institution, a Washington-based think tank."And for them [the PKK] to say that the period of armed struggle is over and that they are going to transition to a major political struggle is very important."The PKK, designated as a terrorist organisation by the European Union and most of Turkey's Western allies, launched its armed struggle in 1984 for Kurdish rights and independence. At the time, Turkey was ruled by the military, which did not even acknowledge the existence of Kurds, referring to them as “Mountain Turks.”Nearly fifty years later, however, Turkey is a different place. The third-largest parliamentary party is the pro-Kurdish Dem Party. In its declaration ending its armed struggle and announcing its dissolution, the PKK stated that there is now space in Turkey to pursue its goals through political means.However, military realities are thought to be behind the PKK's decision to end its campaign. “From a technical and military point of view, the PKK lost,” observed Aydın Selcan, a former senior Turkish diplomat who served in the region.“For almost ten years, there have been no armed attacks by the PKK inside Turkey because they are no longer capable of doing so. And in the northern half of the Iraqi Kurdistan region, there is now almost no PKK presence,” added Selcan.Selcan also claims the PKK could be seeking to consolidate its military gains in Syria. “For the first time in history, the PKK's Syrian offshoot, the YPG, has begun administering a region. So it's important for the organisation to preserve that administration.“They've rebranded themselves as a political organisation.” Turkish forces have repeatedly launched military operations in Syria against the YPG. However, the Syrian Kurdish forces have reached a tentative agreement with Damascus's new rulers—whom Ankara supports.Kurdish leader Ocalan calls for PKK disarmament, paving way for peace Erdoğan's high-stakes gambleFor Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is trailing in opinion polls and facing growing protests over the arrest of his main political rival, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, on alleged corruption charges, this could be a golden opportunity. “This is a win for Erdoğan, no doubt,” claimed analyst Aydıntaşbaş.Along with favourable headlines, the PKK's peace announcement offers a solution to a major political headache for Erdoğan. The Turkish president wants to amend the constitution to remove term limits, allowing him to run again for the presidency.The pro-Kurdish Dem Party holds the parliamentary votes Erdoğan needs. “Yes, Erdoğan, of course, will be negotiating with Kurds for constitutional changes,” said Aydıntaşbaş.“Now we are entering a very transactional period in Turkish politics. Instead of repressing Kurds, it's going to be about negotiating with them. And it may persuade the pro-Kurdish faction—which forms the third-largest bloc in Turkish politics—to peel away from the opposition camp,” added Aydıntaşbaş.However, Aydıntaşbaş warns that Erdoğan will need to convince his voter base, which remains sceptical of any peace process with the PKK. According to a recent opinion poll, three out of four respondents opposed the peace process, with a majority of Erdoğan's AK Party supporters against it.For decades, the PKK has been portrayed in Turkey as a brutal terrorist organisation, and its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan, is routinely referred to by politicians and much of the media as “the baby killer.” Critics argue the government has failed to adequately prepare the public for peace.“In peace processes around the world, we see a strong emphasis on convincing society,” observed Sezin Öney, a political commentator at Turkey's PolitikYol news portal. “There are reconciliation processes, truth commissions, etc., all designed to gain public support. But in our case, it's like surgery without anaesthesia—an operation begun without any sedatives,” added Öney.Turkey looks for regional help in its battle against Kurdish rebels in IraqPolitical concessions?Public pressure on Erdoğan is expected to grow, as the PKK and Kurdish political leaders demand concessions to facilitate the peace and disarmament process.“In the next few months, the government is, first of all, expected to change the prison conditions of Öcalan,” explained Professor Mesut Yeğen of the Istanbul-based Reform Institute.“The second expectation is the release of those in poor health who are currently in jail. And for the disarmament process to proceed smoothly, there should be an amnesty or a reduction in sentences, allowing PKK convicts in Turkish prisons to be freed and ensuring that returning PKK militants are not imprisoned,” Yeğen added.Yeğen claimed that tens of thousands of political prisoners may need to be released, along with the reinstatement of Dem Party mayors who were removed from office under anti-terrorism legislation.Turkey's Saturday Mothers keep up vigil for lost relativesErdoğan has ruled out any concessions until the PKK disarms, but has said that “good things” will follow disarmament. Meanwhile, the main opposition CHP Party, while welcoming the peace initiative, insists that any democratic reforms directed at the Kurdish minority must be extended to wider society—starting with the release of İmamoğlu, Erdoğan's chief political rival.While the peace process is widely seen as a political victory for Erdoğan, it could yet become a liability for the president, who risks being caught between a sceptical voter base and an impatient Kurdish population demanding concessions.

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) declared a cease-fire last month in its war with Turkey, opening the door to a possible peace agreement between the two sides. Some 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict, which has gone on for decades. A deal would be a major win for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan—but it's not at all clear he can pull it off. In fact, he seems to have undermined his own chances by imprisoning the leader of Turkey's political opposition, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, triggering widespread protests. On this episode of Counterpoint, we're posing the question: Can the Turkish-Kurdish peace process succeed? Making the case that it can succeed is Galip Dalay, a senior consulting fellow at Chatham House and researcher at the University of Oxford's St. Antony's College. Taking a more pessimistic view is Arzu Yilmaz, an associate professor of politics and international relations at the University of Kurdistan Hewler in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan. Counterpoint is a production of Foreign Policy, in partnership with the Doha Forum. It is hosted by FP deputy editor Sasha Polakow-Suransky. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Andrew sits down with Danika Duarte Smith, a dancer, educator, and travel writer, to talk about her unforgettable first trip to Egypt during Eid. While living and teaching in Iraqi Kurdistan, Danika took a week off to explore Cairo, including a chaotic and crowded day at the Giza pyramid complex. From refusing overpriced horse carriage rides to navigating mayhem at the ticket booth, Danika shares how a random act of kindness and a stroke of luck got her and her travel companions through the chaos—and into one of the most iconic ancient sites on Earth.Guest: Danika Duarte SmithAuthor of One Year and a One Way Ticket, a debut travel memoirFounder of danikaduartesmith.comFormer ballet teacher and language instructorSpent three years living and working in Kurdistan, IraqTopics Covered:Introduction to Danika and her travel backgroundLiving and working in KurdistanFirst impressions of Egypt during EidNavigating scams and chaos at the Giza pyramid complexFinding help from a stranger in an overwhelming crowdQuiet moments of awe behind the Great PyramidA side trip to Luxor and reflections on ancient civilizationsTeaching ballet and surviving earthquakes in northern IraqThe story behind Danika's first book—and what's nextResources and Links:Danika's website: danikaduartesmith.comHer debut travel memoir: One Year and a One Way TicketCall to Action:Check out our website at oneofftravelstories.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share your favorite travel stories with us on social media using #OneOffTravelStories.

Raising Expectations with Pastor Joe Schofield, Stefanie and Dr Craig Thayer, Dr Paul Hall, and Ron Greer With Guests, Charles Lingerfelt Editor of Christian Times Magazine and Paul Antaby, Master Chief from the USS Cole We are delighted to have our friend and beloved Texas Republican Congressional Candidate Charles Lingerfelt with us! God has used Charles in so many ways in changing lives here and globally! He was born and raised in the state of Tennessee, where he graduated from high school and became an alumnus of Lee University. But in 1969, Charles and his family moved to the state of Texas, and has resided here ever since. He has made 29 trips to Iraqi Kurdistan, teaching American English and government. He is currently the editor-in-chief of Christian Times Magazine which is now being read globally around the world in 178 countries. Charles is an expert on so many national and international political situations and is a man of great Christian Faith in the Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. *On a special note Charles will be joined by Alan Abney and his wife Jan from the USS COLE who he interviewed for the International Christian Times Magazine.

On December 8, the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime was widely celebrated across Syria, but also in neighbouring countries that have been home to millions of Syrian refugees for more than a decade. Although Assad's departure has revived hopes of a return from Iraqi Kurdistan, where almost 300,000 Syrian Kurds still live mostly in camps, the question of the Kurds' place in the new Syria is not yet clear. They have high expectations of the negotiations with Damascus, at a time when a union is taking shape between Kurdish political groups, which had until now been deeply divided. FRANCE 24's Josh Vardey, Marie-Charlotte Roupie and Stella Martany report.

Syrian rebels have set fire to the tomb of ex-President Bashar al-Assad's father in his former hometown in the western Syrian Latakia province. Meanwhile, shops are reopening and people are returning to work in Damascus as day-to-day life gradually resumes. We look at the impact of returning refugees on the Syrian economy, examine concerns over a precarious security situation with a possible resurgence of Islamic State and in doing so, we hear from Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, and from Damascus itself.Also on the programme: South Korea deals with the fallout from last week's short-lived period of martial law; and one humpback whale appears to have made one of the longest and most unusual migrations ever recorded.(Photo: A man rides in the open trunk of a car in Aleppo, Syria. Credit: Reuters/Karam al-Masri)

Iraq, which has witnessed wars, embargoes and Islamic State rule, is a traumatised country with Eastern Christians among the first victims. Under Saddam Hussein, there were one and a half million of them in the country, but today only 150,000 remain. Many Iraqi Christians in exil dream of returning. We meet members of the diaspora who have chosen to rebuild their lives in Iraqi Kurdistan. 

Arab Digest editor William Law is joined by the Kurdish American journalist Sirwan Kajjo. A recent parliamentary election in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq featured a high turnout and a strong showing by a new party, both indications that the grip of the two families that have controlled the region for decades is beginning to slip. Meantime Iraqi Kurdistan continues a delicate balancing act as the war in the Levant between Israel and Iran's proxies burns on. Sign up NOW at ArabDigest.org for free to join the club and start receiving our daily newsletter & weekly podcasts.

Writers Salon: Bohemia Theme – Brought to You from the Colony Room Green, London Welcome to the first-ever Writers Salon, hosted at the Colony Room Green, an artist-run bar in London. The theme was Bohemia, with tales of 1980s art models, 19th-century stage acts, clubbing in Tenerife, and a famous musician dying in hospital. Thanks to all the amazing writers who participated; our next event will be on November 11th. Featured Writers: Kristin Burniston Kristin Burniston, an MA Screenwriting graduate from University of the Arts London, has had her short film scripts TREE and HAIRY MARY selected by festivals like City of Angels and Best-Script London. Kristin is working on a children's animation, a crime fiction TV series, and a feature film based on her novel. Lindsay Gillespie Lindsay Gillespie, from South Wales, now resides in the South Downs. She has lived in New Delhi, Washington DC, France, and Tokyo, where she taught English. A Costa 2021 Short Story Award finalist, she was also a finalist for the 2022 Bridport Short Story Prize, with stories shortlisted in Fiction Factory, Exeter, and Oxford Flash Fiction. Find her on Twitter @LindsGillesp14. Darren Coffield Darren Coffield, an artist and author, studied at Goldsmiths, Camberwell School of Art, and Slade School of Art. His exhibitions have appeared at the Courtauld Institute and National Portrait Gallery. His books include Tales from the Colony Room and Queens of Bohemia, which celebrates the brilliant women of Soho. He shared readings from Queens of Bohemia. Goran Baba Ali Goran Baba Ali, a writer and journalist, has published in Kurdish, Dutch, and English. His debut English-language novel The Glass Wall draws from his experience as an ex-refugee from Iraqi Kurdistan. He is the founder of Afsana Press. Miki Lentin Miki Lentin completed an MA in Creative Writing at Birkbeck and was a finalist for the 2020 Irish Novel Fair with Winter Sun. His short stories have been published in Litro and Story Radio. He released his short story collection Inner Core in 2022, and his debut novel Winter Sun was published by Afsana Press. Martin Nathan Martin Nathan's short fiction and poetry have appeared in various journals. His novel A Place of Safety is published by Salt Publishing. His dramatic writing has been shortlisted for the Nick Darke Award and the Woodward International Prize. Tabitha Potts Tabitha Potts is a short story writer and novelist, recognised with an Honourable Mention in the Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize. Her debut novel will be published by Rowan Prose Publishing in 2026. Simon Roberts Simon Roberts, based in West London, writes short stories and flash fiction. His story Dirty Chicken & Rice was a 2024 Plaza Prizes finalist, and his adaptation of The Slaves of Solitude was produced by Questors Theatre in 2024. He was longlisted for the 2022 Fish Short Story Prize. Photos courtesy of Miki Lentin. Some sexual swearwords are used in these readings so the episode has been marked as Explicit.

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Joel David Bond, author of the book As Large As Your Spirit: A Reverse Refugee Memoir.  A born explorer, Joel has spent over two decades living and working around the world, from farm work in Italian vineyards to jet-setting as a London-based flight attendant. His recent work in Iraqi Kurdistan built bridges between some of the region's most elite students and the locally marginalized refugee community through service-learning. He holds a Master's in Education from the University of Nottingham, UK. His essay, “Amazing Grace,” was shortlisted for the 2022 Annie Dillard Award for Creative Nonfiction. Bond is available for interviews as well as speaking engagements and events on topics of refugee rights, education in post-conflict societies, life & culture in Iraqi Kurdistan, or travel-related topics. In my book review, I stated As Large as Your Spirit looks at Joel's life during a five-month forced stay on a Greek Island during the pandemic. Although at first glance, being stranded on a Greek Island sounds idyllic, readers soon realize that being trapped anywhere against your wishes is difficult. Though the setting is beautiful, Joel finds himself without friends, without access to funds, and with limited access to the internet during a time when governments limited a person's ability to travel or even interact outside their own home. In essence, Joel found himself a refugee, but one wishing to go back to the east while most refugees were leaving the east to head west. The book is about finding a place to call home - both physically and within oneself. It showcases the plight of refugees, unlike Joel, who had to flee from their home and must now find ways to make new lands their own. We even get a peek at Roma's, people who, though they live in a country, are not accepted as true citizens. This is a great memoir that will make you think about what it means to be a refugee and what you can do to eliminate your own biases. Great read. You can follow Author Joel David Bond: Website: joeldavidbond.com FB: @joeldavidbond IG: @joeldavidbond LinkedIn: @joeldavidbond   Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor IG: @terimbrown_author X: @terimbrown1   #joeldavidbond #aslargeasyourspirit #memoir #refugee #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visits Iraq on Monday for the first time in 12 years. He'll be seeking support for Ankara's war against Kurdish rebels in Iraq as well as deeper economic ties.  With Turkish forces continuing their build-up for a major offensive against the Kurdish rebel group the PKK, enlisting Iraq's support is expected to top Erdogan's agenda in Baghdad.The PKK has for decades used Iraqi territory to wage war against the Turkish state. Erdogan's visit is part of a new approach to Baghdad in fighting the PKK."Turkey wants to start a comprehensive strategy that has an economic, social, and security base," said Murat Aslan, a senior security analyst for the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research, an Ankara-based think tank."In the meantime, expanding the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces may make Iraq much safer, and Turkey may feel more secure."BreakthroughLast month, Ankara achieved a diplomatic breakthrough when Baghdad banned the PKK.Erdogan will have also leverage when he visits Iraq. Iraq is suffering a severe drought and Baghdad has repeatedly called on Ankara to release more water from dams controlling rivers serving Iraq.This week, Erdogan said he is ready to consider Baghdad's pleas."One of the most important agenda items of our visit is the water issue," Erdogan told reporters."Baghdad has made some requests regarding water and we are working on these issues."We will make efforts to resolve this issue with them. They already want to resolve this matter. We will take steps in this direction."Bilateral tradeDeepening bilateral trade is also a key part of the Turkish leader's visit. Ankara seeks to increase international transit through Iraq as part of a planned new trade route between China and Europe."The main backbone of this upcoming presidential visit to Iraq, to Baghdad and Erbil, will be the new so-called development road," said Aydin Selcen, a former senior Turkish diplomat who served in Iraq."It will connect the port of Basra to the Turkish border, to Habur, or to a new border gate. Perhaps it will have a railroad, and then parallel to it, there will be a highway. And that will be an oil and gas pipeline."Erdogan also said he may visit Erbil, the capital of semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan, with whom the Turkish leader has developed close ties.However, Iran could thwart the goal of expanding Turkish influence in Iraq."In Baghdad, the sun does not shine without the approval of Iran, of course," warned Selcen, who works as a foreign policy analyst for Turkey's Medyascope news portal."So how will Ankara be able to align all these stars and build a capacity to cooperate with it? It's still debatable to me, and it looks unrealistic to me."BalanceHowever, some experts say Baghdad is looking to Ankara to balance Tehran's influence, especially as speculation grows over the withdrawal of United States forces from Iraq, one of the few checks to Iran."My hunch is that the Iraqi government wishes to free itself at least somewhat from the grip of Iranian influence and Turkey can be a balancer," said Soli Ozel, who teaches international relations at Istanbul's Kadir Has University. "I think Turkey would like to be a balancer here because Turkey, just like every other country in the region, is not all that happy with the kind of power that Iran has in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen." 

Hello, and welcome to number 142. This week, I am joined by Joel David Bond, who has just returned from living in Kurdistan, Iraq, for the last seven years. The FBI/CIA evacuated Joel in October 2023, and we talk about that story but also Joel's love for the country, his life there, what he learned from being in that culture, and the shocking ending to his stint. In COVID, Joel was stranded on a Greek Island that housed hundreds of asylum seekers an hour's bus ride from his resort apartment; we talked about those two worlds coming together in the most unlikely scenario and some uncomfortable truths. Also nestled into the conversation is Joel's two-year stint at British Airways, and we hear some funny tales about a career that is not so seemingly dreamy.A lot is packed into this one, and we barely touched the sides with Joel's other travels, which are hitting the 90-country mark. Right now, Joel is back in the USA figuring out his next moves, and there are many funny stories, reflections and laughs in this episode. Check out Joel's stuff below.Enjoy. Be inspired!Joel David BondWebsite - https://www.joeldavidbond.comAs Large As Your Spirit Memoir - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW31G8LR?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_RX0AY2RP3FFQ65K1NEM6Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joeldavidbondPatreon Shout-OutThanks to Laura Hammond for supporting this podcast. She does so by purchasing a monthly membership on my Patreon. You can support me, too, by checking out the details below!Winging It Travel PodcastWebsite - https://www.wingingittravelpodcast.comWinging It Travel Podcast YouTube ChannelWeekly travel episodes, interviews and Vancouver.YouTube - HereWinging It Travel Podcast CreditsHost/Creator/Writer/Composer/Editor - James HammondProducer - James HammondPodcast Art Design - Swamp Soup Company - Harry UttonContact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com Social Media - follow me on:Instagram - wingingittravelpodcast - https://www.instagram.com/wingingittravelpodcast/TikTok - wingingittravelpodcast - https://www.tiktok.com/@wingingittravelpodcastFacebook - Winging It Travel Podcast - https://www.facebook.com/jameshammondtravelReview - Please leave a review and rating wherever you get your podcasts!Support My Podcast - MembershipsPatreon - HereBuy Me A Coffee - HereSupport My Podcast - Affiliate Links If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast.Use Revolut - HereBook Your E-Sim With Airalo - HereBook Hostels With Hostelworld - HereBooking.com - Here Book Experiences With Viator - HereDiscovery Car Hire - HereBook Buses With Busbud - HereBook Trains With Trainline - Here Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - HereBook Flights With Expedia Canada - HereBook Hotels with Hotel.com - HereBook Hotels With Agoda - HereBook Hotels With Trivago - HereBook Accommodation With Vrbo - HereBooking Events With Ticketmaster - HereMerch Store - Here Buy my Digital Travel Planner - HereThanks for supporting me and the podcast! Happy travels and listening!Cheers, James.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/winging-it-travel-podcast--4777249/support.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to end the threat posed by Kurdish rebel group the PKK, which has been fighting Turkey for decades. As Turkey prepares to launch a major military operation against the organisation in Iraq, it is looking to other governments in the region for support. Turkish forces have been carrying out military operations in northern Iraq for the last two years against bases of the PKK, which has been fighting for Kurdish minority rights in Turkey for decades.But Erdogan is now vowing to permanently end the threat posed by the PKK and its affiliates in neighbouring Syria."We have preparations that will give new nightmares to those who think that they will bring Turkey to its knees with a 'Terroristan' along our southern borders," the Turkish president bellowed earlier this month.According to Mesut Casin, a presidential adviser and professor of international politics at Istanbul's Yeditepe University, the military operation is expected to take aim at PKK targets along the more than 300km border that Turkey shares with Iraq."By securing the Iraq border, Turkey is expected to create a 40km new security corridor, similar to the one in Syria," he said.But Casin also stressed that, to end the PKK threat, Ankara is looking beyond military means to a new model of military and diplomatic cooperation with the leaders of Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan.Regional cooperationAnkara got a boost in its war against the PKK this month when Baghdad banned the Kurdish group.Erdogan is also developing close ties with the leadership of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan regional government in Erbil.Such cooperation is seen as vital to Ankara's goal of eradicating the PKK threat."Turkey will focus on the capacity of Iraqi security forces, together with the Kurdish regional government's Peshmerga [Iraqi Kurdish soldiers]," explained Murat Aslan, an analyst with Turkish think tank the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research."Turkey wants a full encirclement of all PKK members in Iraq and then to destroy them, neutralise them," Aslan said.New leverageIn April, Erdogan is scheduled to visit both Erbil and Baghdad, where the PKK is expected to top the agenda.Enhanced bilateral trade and increasing international transit trade through Iraq to Turkey is seen as giving Erdogan new leverage with Baghdad."The carrot is the new so-called 'Development Road', which will connect Basra port to to the Turkish border, to Habur or to a new border gate," said Aydin Selcen, a former senior Turkish diplomat who served in Iraq."Perhaps it will have a railroad, then a parallel highway, which will bring billions of US dollars to Baghdad's coffers," continued Selcen, now a regional analyst for Turkey's Medyascope news portal. "For that project to be realistic, there should be stability and security in Iraq. So in a way, Ankara wishes to repackage the combat against PKK within that project." France becomes first EU country to open visa service in Mosul, IraqIran questionHowever, analysts predict Iran's cooperation will also be needed, given that the PKK headquarters are located in the mountainous Qandil region."Why is Iran important? Because the Qandil mountains are not only in Iraq. They are divided between Iran and Iraq," explained analyst Aslan. Four decades later, veterans of the Iran-Iraq war still can't forget"Whenever an operation is planned and implemented in the region, [the PKK] go to Iran, enjoy a safe haven, and come back," he said."So this campaign should be complemented by Iranian efforts, but it's not guaranteed. We will see what happens."With the rivalry between Turkey and Iran increasing across the region, Tehran may be reluctant to accommodate Ankara's demands. That could add to ongoing bilateral tensions, giving the PKK room to escape the tightening Turkish grip.

I'm Joel David Bond, and I specialize in creating experiences that promote cross-cultural understanding and empathic connection. As both a seasoned traveler and educator, my work is built on over two decades of overseas living and cross-cultural immersion. Joel David Bond is dedicated to helping people navigate their cultural world with mindful intention, fostering empathy and understanding across borders. With a profound belief in the power of travel to create a more empathic world, Joel brings a unique perspective to every journey, drawing from over 20 years of overseas living and cross-cultural experience, as well as a master's degree in education and a background as a global flight attendant. Specializing in providing travel presentations to schools and associations, Joel's offerings are not just about destinations; they're immersive experiences crafted to ignite curiosity, broaden perspectives, and inspire mindful exploration. With a background in education and counseling, Joel's presentations delve deep into the cultural nuances and human stories that make each destination truly extraordinary. Choosing Joel David Bond means embarking on a journey of discovery, empathy, and connection. With a commitment to excellence and a wealth of experience and expertise, Joel ensures that every presentation leaves a lasting impression, sparking meaningful conversations long after the event. He holds a Master's in Education from the University of Nottingham, UK. His recent book, “As Large as Your Spirit: A Reverse Refugee Memoir,” was a finalist in the Best Indie Book Awards 2023. His recent work in Iraqi Kurdistan built bridges between some of the region's most elite students and the locally marginalized refugee community through service-learning.@https://www.joeldavidbond.com/ #LivingLarge #UnexpectedPlaces #JoelDavidBond #Conversation #Exploration #Adventure 

Author Of "As Large As Your Spirit: A Reverse Refugee Memoir"#author #travel #nomad #education #culture #refugees A born explorer, Joel David Bond has spent over two decades living and working around the world, from farm work in Italian vineyards to jet-setting as a London-based flight attendant.His recent work in Iraqi Kurdistan built bridges between some of the region's most elite students and the locally marginalized refugee community through service-learning.He holds a Master's in Education from the University of Nottingham, UK. His recent book, “As Large as Your Spirit: a reverse refugee memoir,” was a finalist in the Best Indie Book Awards 2023.Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS1VW6TLWebsite: https://www.joeldavidbond.com/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/bondventuresInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joeldavidbond/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeldavidbondLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeldavidbond/Thanks for tuning in, please be sure to click that subscribe button and give this a thumbs up!!Email: thevibesbroadcast@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/listen_to_the_vibes_/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevibesbroadcastnetworkLinktree: https://linktr.ee/the_vibes_broadcastTikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeuTVRv2/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheVibesBrdcstTruth: https://truthsocial.com/@KoyoteI'm Sorry Zero Points ~ Eurovision podcast with Adrian & Seamus.It's season 3 of I'm Sorry Zero Points. Adrian & Seamus bring...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyFor all our social media and other links, go to: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/the_vibes_broadcastPlease subscribe, like, and share!

What began on October 7 as a conflict between Israel and Hamas seems to be spreading across the entire region. Even after 100 days of a conflict that has already claimed the lives of more than 25,000 people, Israel's military assault on Gaza continues. But this war has sprouted many secondary plot-lines: Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based Shia group backed by Iran, has been exchanging fire with the Israeli military. Shia groups that serve as Iran's proxies have been attacking US and Israeli assets in Syria and Iraq. Israel itself has been carrying out assassinations of senior Iranian generals and intelligence officers. And Iran has done strikes on what it claims were Mossad assets in Syria and Iraqi Kurdistan. It also carried out missile and drone attacks on Pakistani territory, sparking a retaliatory strike on its own territory from Pakistan. Amid all this, the Houthis of Yemen have kept up attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, and in response, the US has been bombing Houthi positions in Yemen. So, how does one make sense of all that's going on? Is the West Asia security architecture unravelling? And how are these confrontations likely to develop in the weeks to come? Tune in to find out.

In this episode of the Patrick Henningsen Show on TNT Radio which aired on January 18, 2024, Patrick talks with veteran Middle East journalist Leila Hatoum, about Iran's recent missile strikes against alleged western and Israeli-run terrorist operations in Pakistan and Iraqi Kurdistan, as well as a long-range strike on HTS/Al-Qaeda and ISIS targets in Idlib, Syria. This bold move by Tehran has tested the geopolitical fault lines in the Middle East, as well as sending a strong message to Washington and Tel Aviv. Also, is Israel drawing down its assets in Gaza to prepare for a war against Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon? All this and more. More from Leila: X/Twitter  TUNE-IN LIVE to TNT RADIO for the Patrick Henningsen Show every MON-FRI at 11AM-1PM (NEW YORK) | 4PM-6PM (LONDON) | 2AM-4AM (BRISBANE): https://tntradio.liv

Did the map of the Middle East suddenly just get bigger? On Tuesday, Iran hit points in Iraqi Kurdistan, Syria.and all the way over on its eastern border, separatist militants in Balochistan province. It was payback for recent attacks targeting police in its own Sistan-Balochistan province. Hitting nuclear-armed Pakistan came as the neighboring countries were carrying out joint naval exercises. 

Has Iran just opened a new front? On top of support for Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, now come tit-for-tat strikes with Pakistan to the east. Both sides say they targeted separatist Baloch insurgents, but the sudden escalation between usually friendly neighbours adds a whole new layer of uncertainty to a region that's already close to boiling point.  Since October 7, critics have portrayed Iran as a puppet master, as evidenced by Kal's cartoon in The Economist, with the caption "I prefer a hands-off approach".Recently, Iran has had to contend with terror at home: the targeting of police stations by radical Baloch separatists and the twin bombings in Kerman at the start of the month in a ceremony honouring late Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani. On Tuesday, Tehran hit targets in Pakistan, but also Iraqi Kurdistan and Syria. On that score, just as we've asked if the United States is overstretched patrolling in both the Mediterranean off Israel and Lebanon, and now off the coast of Yemen amid Houthi strikes on shipping, can the same be said of Iran?Produced by Juliette Laurain, Rebecca Gnignati and Imen Mellaz.

PREVIEW: Excerpt from a conversation with Gregory Copley of Defense & Foreign Affairs about the report that Iran has fired missiles into Iraqi Kurdistan near Irbil in order to destroy what is alleged to have been an Israeli Mossad Headquarters -- and how this could lead to major difficulties for the Tehran Regime now that it has tangled direstly and unambiguously with Jerusalem and Washington. More later for what this alos may mean for Russia. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/01/16/iran-allegedly-attack-mossad-israeli-spy-hq-iraq/  1925 Persia

After Trump's Blowout Victory in Iowa, He is All But Certain to be the GOP's Presidential Nominee | As MAGA World Celebrates Trump's Lawlessness, Is the Rule of Law Itself on Trial in This Election? | A Report From Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan on an Iranian Missile and Drone Strike backgroundbriefing.org/donate twitter.com/ianmastersmedia facebook.com/ianmastersmedia

I love starting things. I love ideas, I love creating. And America provides the best opportunity for the realization of human potential there is. - Jim Hake .In this episode of "Building the Base," hosts Lauren Bedula and Hondo Geurts welcome Jim Hake, the founder of Spirit of America, a unique nonprofit organization. The podcast delves into Jim's fascinating background as an entrepreneur and the inception of Spirit of America in response to the 9/11 attacks. The conversation explores the organization's role in providing private assistance to support national security objectives and filling gaps that government alone cannot address. Jim shares insights into the evolution of these gaps over two decades and emphasizes the importance of private philanthropy in enhancing national security. The discussion touches on Spirit of America's global impact, focusing on regions like Ukraine, Taiwan, West Africa, and Iraqi Kurdistan. Jim reflects on the challenges of navigating legal frameworks, building trust, and creating a collaborative ecosystem between private citizens and government entities. The episode concludes with a discussion on talent acquisition for nonprofit endeavors and the crucial role of a diverse, values-driven team. Jim also expresses optimism about the growth of entrepreneurial ventures in the national security space. Key Takeaways:1. Flexible Mission-Driven Capability: Spirit of America operates as a flexible, mission-driven capability that supports national security objectives through private assistance, emphasizing the relevance of this approach against evolving threats.2. Filling Gaps in National Security: Jim discusses how the organization fills gaps in national security objectives, highlighting the role of private assistance in areas where government efforts fall short.3. Nonprofit Impact in Global Relations:  The episode underscores how nonprofits like Spirit of America contribute to building trust, fostering partnerships, and delivering on commitments, thereby positively influencing global perceptions of American values.4. Talent Acquisition for Nonprofits: Jim emphasizes the importance of hiring the right people for nonprofit endeavors, focusing on values, openness, and a collaborative culture to drive success.5. Evolving Industrial Base: The podcast touches on the growth of entrepreneurial ventures in the national security space and the need for a diverse network, combining nonprofit and for-profit entities, to effectively address security challenges.

With Israeli forces stepping up their assault on the Gaza Strip and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continuing to ramp up his rhetoric against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ankara is nonetheless resisting calls to cut off vital oil deliveries to Israel. Supertankers continue to deliver oil to Israel from the Turkish port of Ceyhan. Oil pipelines from Azerbaijan and Iraqi Kurdistan terminate at the Mediterranean harbour, making Turkey a key oil supplier for Israel."The bulk of Israeli oil needs come from either Azerbaijan or Iraqi Kurdistan," says analyst Mehmet Ogutcu of the London Energy Club."I think the latest figures show Azerbaijan provides around 40 percent of Israel's oil needs. It comes all the way to Ceyhan, and from Ceyhan, it's sent to an Israeli port where it's moved to one of the refineries," Ogutcu explains.But with the death toll mounting from Israel's invasion of Gaza, calls for Turkey to cut off oil deliveries are growing.Iran's foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, speaking with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Ankara earlier this month, urged countries delivering oil to Israel to cut their supplies, a call Fidan ignored. Turkey, Iran put rivalries aside as Gaza conflict provides common groundDespite Erdogan ramping up his rhetoric against Israel, oil deliveries from Turkey to Israel continue to flow. And questions remain about how effective any embargo by Turkey would be."I don't think that Israel will suffer in any way because oil is plentiful in the world markets," points out Ogutcu. Even if Turkey were to cut off Israel's supply, "they can bring it from Brazil or Canada or from some of the African countries where they have good relations", he says."Israeli consumption, if I'm not mistaken, is around 225,000 barrels per day. That's not a significant amount. It can be easily secured either through long-term contracts or on the spot market," he adds.Talking toughBut Turkey has other ways of harming Israel if it wants to strike a blow."Turkey could stop the working of the Kurecik radar station in Malatya in Turkey, which is crucial to the Nato missile defense system, and as far we know, it also protects the airspace of Israel," says Ilhan Uzgel, an international relations expert and columnist for Turkey's Kisa Dalga news portal.So far Erdogan has not taken any of these options. "What he has to do is please his audience, so he makes tough statements," says Uzel. "It's not hurting anybody; in the end, it's just words." Turkey under fire after declaring Hamas a 'liberation' groupErdogan is continuing with his rhetoric against Israel, even describing Hamas as a liberation movement while personally attacking Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But the Turkish leader's actions remain more measured.Announcing the recall of Turkey's ambassador from Israel for consultations this month, Erdogan stressed that diplomatic relations with Israel would remain open and that Turkish efforts were continuing to seek the release of hostages held by Hamas."The rhetoric is harsh, but the concrete actions are not that harsh, at least in terms of the bilateral relationship," observes Galip Dalay, an associate fellow at Chatham House in London."I think the idea is that if you burn bridges, you will not be able to play the diplomatic role as much as you hope to."Attempts at diplomacyOn Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Ankara for the first time since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. In a tacit acknowledgment of Turkey's efforts, Blinken said third-party countries were playing a role in securing the release of the hostages.Erdogan is expected to join Arab leaders for a summit in Riyadh to discuss the crisis. But Dalay warns there may be limits to Ankara's nuanced approach toward Israel. Links to Hamas complicate Turkey's rapprochement with Israel"If Turkey is convinced that actually the diplomatic track is not working and if other regional countries, not only Turkey, reach the same conclusion that Israel is not paying any attention to this diplomatic track or call for a ceasefire, then we might see – both at a regional level and a Turkey level – countries taking punitive action," Dalay warns.With Erdogan's large religious base at the forefront of growing protests against Israel, that will likely add pressure on the Turkish leader to take a harder stance if the violence continues.

- Get 20% OFF SHEATH UNDERWEAR (PROMO CODE: “JULIAN”): http://sheathunderwear.com  - Julian Dorey Podcast GEAR: https://www.23point5.com/creator/Julian-Dorey-9826?tab=Featured  - Support Our Show on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/JulianDorey - JOIN OUR DISCORD: https://discord.gg/4KRvKvsa  - Hosted, Produced & Edited by Julian D. Dorey (***TIMESTAMPS in description below) ~ Eric Czuleger is a Diplomat, Author, & Renegade Country Explorer. For the past 11 years, Czuleger has lived and traveled across Europe, Asia, and Africa –– getting himself into wild situations that include managing diplomatic relationships between unrecognized countries. Eric insists he is *not* in the CIA –– but absolutely no one believes him. His life memoir, “You are Not Here” came out earlier this year.  EPISODE LINKS BUY “You Are Not Here” by Eric Czuleger: https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Not-Here-Countries/dp/B0C87SH7Q8  Danny Jones Podcast w/ Eric: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2eMKUAR2A0&t=3765s  JULIAN DOREY PODCASTS MENTIONED IN THIS EP: 1) Episode 134 - Joby Warrick: https://youtu.be/Xaz7JfTLFQE  2) Episode 107 - Andrew Bustamante: https://youtu.be/7jNz3-WPV5I  3) Episode 150 - Andrew Bustamante: https://youtu.be/dUlc2d6fDzg  ***TIMESTAMPS*** 0:00 - Is Eric a CIA plant? 5:09 - Is it strange coming back to US?; Carl Sagan Questions Theory 11:50 - Intentions; Hanlon's Razor; Probing people's politics 16:40 - Conspiracy Theories have exploded; “Countries are stories” 22:00 - Eric recounts living in Kurdistan 26:46 - How Eric joined Peace Corps in Albania; Fearing cultures 33:01 - Eric using acting skills internationally 36:14 - Eric's road to writing his book 41:57 - Eric's terrifying near-death in South Africa (STORY) 59:30 - The aftermath of Eric's attack 1:07:10 - Bloody clothes 1:10:21 - The “War Tourist” in Iraqi Kurdistan; Kirkuk background 1:17:06 - Eric gets arrested in Turkey 1:24:56 - Kosovo background; Countryless Ethnicities 1:28:26 - Middle Eastern Borders are INSANE; Sykes-Picot Agreement 1:35:36 - The Modern History of Kurdistan 1:44:51 - Criticizing your own country 1:47:55 - Modern Religious Movements; Human Fallacies 1:51:39 - The “Wicked Problem”; Evolutionary Negativity 1:56:25 - Schismogenesis EXPLAINED; Max Tegmark & “Moloch” 2:02:15 - The road to AI; “We need an enemy” 2:09:42 - The death of the Nation State; Goverments and Money 2:12:32 - Eric gets connected to Smallest Unrecognized country 2:17:21 - Eric visits Liberland for the first time; Jersey (England!) 2:24:30 - Liberland's Background, Eric's wild first meeting w/ Liberland President (STORY) 2:35:32 - Eric offered Liberland Ambassador to Somaliland position; Eric “not” in CIA 2:39:46 - Eric's next story on Somaliland expedition ~ Get $150 Off The Eight Sleep Pod Pro Mattress / Mattress Cover (USING CODE: “JULIANDOREY”): https://eight-sleep.ioym.net/trendifier Julian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianddorey ~ Music via Artlist.io ~ Julian Dorey Podcast Episode 163 - Eric Czuleger

Mehiyar interviews Co-Investigator Dr Rohzen Kamal Mohammed-Amin on the Nahrein Network funded project 'A Cultural Heritage Network for the Kurdistan Region: Challenges and Opportunities' Date of episode recording: 2019-01-28 Duration: 31:24 Language of episode: English Presenter:Mehiyar Kathem Guests: Rozhen Mohammed-Amin Producer: Mehiyar Kathem

This event was the launch of the paper 'Art and Activism in Iraqi Kurdistan: Feminist Fault Lines, Body Politics and the Struggle for Space' by Dr Isabel Käser and Houzan Mahmoud. This paper is the outcome of a project run under the LSE Middle East Centre's Academic Collaboration with Arab Universities Programme. Meet the speakers: Isabel Käser is a Visiting Fellow at the LSE Middle East Centre and a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute of Social Anthropology at the University of Bern. She gained her PhD at SOAS, University of London, and is the author of 'The Kurdish Women's Freedom Movement: Gender, Body Politics and Militant Femininities' (Cambridge University Press, 2021). Houzan Mahmoud is a Kurdish feminist writer, public lecturer, activist and the editor of 'Kurdish Women's Stories' (Pluto Press, 2021). For over 25 years, she has been an advocate for women's rights in Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan. She holds an MA in Gender Studies from SOAS, and is the co-founder of the Culture Project, a platform dedicated to raising awareness about feminism, art and gender in both Kurdistan and the diaspora. Müjge Küçükkeleş is a teaching fellow at SOAS and a research associate at Global Partners Governance (GPG). She is currently working on her book manuscript entitled 'Governing Iraqi Kurdistan: Self-rule, Political Order and the International'. Her research interests include humanitarianism, development, neoliberalism, sovereignty and political imaginaries beyond the state. Polly Withers is a Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at the LSE Middle East Centre, where she leads the project “Neoliberal Visions: Gendering Consumer Culture and its Resistances in the Levant”. Polly's interdisciplinary work questions and explores how gender, sexuality, race, and class intersect in popular culture and commercial media in the global south.

I learned something new yesterday. Nashville has ten sister cities across the world. Every town I've lived in has a cultural alliance with a city in some foreign country. This week, Nashville announced they've partnered with Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan. While I have no issues with this, I wonder why we even bother forging the relationship... Click Here To Subscribe Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicGoogle PodcastsTuneIniHeartRadioPandoraDeezerBlubrryBullhornCastBoxCastrofyyd.deGaanaiVooxListen NotesmyTuner RadioOvercastOwlTailPlayer.fmPocketCastsPodbayPodbeanPodcast AddictPodcast IndexPodcast RepublicPodchaserPodfanPodtailRadio PublicRadio.comReason.fmRSSRadioVurblWe.foYandex jQuery(document).ready(function($) { 'use strict'; $('#podcast-subscribe-button-13292 .podcast-subscribe-button.modal-656098dcc7a4e').on("click", function() { $("#secondline-psb-subs-modal.modal-656098dcc7a4e.modal.secondline-modal-656098dcc7a4e").modal({ fadeDuration: 250, closeText: '', }); return false; }); });

Mehiyar Kathem interviews Mr Dlshad A. Mutalb, heritage manager of the Directorate of Antiquities in Soran, in Iraqi Kurdistan, who completed a scholarship at Cambridge University under the support and supervision of Professor Graeme Barker. Dlshad speaks about Northern Iraq's important neanderthal site, Shanidar Cave. For more information and to access the transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/nahrein/media/podcasts Date of episode recording: 2020-03-02 Duration: 47:45 Language of episode: English Presenter:Mehiyar Kathem Guests: Dlshad A. Mutalb Producer: Mehiyar Kathem

American journalist Eric Czuleger dives into the twilight zone of statecraft by living in unrecognized nations in order to discover what a country really is. He begins his journey as a third-grade teacher in Iraqi Kurdistan at the height of the Kurdish independence movement. Banned by Turkey, he pivots to Kosovo where he reports during the nation's 10 year anniversary celebration. Moving on to The Black Hole of Europe, Transnistria, he arrives in time for the Russian election. Finally, Czuleger infiltrates the world's first crypto-anarchist nation, Liberland, where he parties with Bitcoin millionaires and falls into his most challenging position yet: Liberland Ambassador to Somaliland. There, in the never ending desert, he discovers the real cost of drawing a new line in the sand.   BEK LOVER OFFICIAL WEBSITE Bek Lover's Instagram

This is a bonus episode taken from the Evening Standard's year-long series of specials called ‘Let Girls Learn', we're going to Duhok in Iraqi Kurdistan. The Lotus Flower is a non-profit organisation that supports women and girls impacted by conflict and displacement. Their centres also offer classes such as; English, yoga, art and music.The Evening Standard's Charline Bou Mansour finds out how Yazidi girls are using activities such as boxing to recover from the trauma of ISIS brutality, defying some of the traditions of their community to build new futures.In the #LetGirlsLearn series, we're aiming to shine a light on innovations and solutions that are helping girls to fulfil their right to education and healthy, productive lives around the globe.You can find out more online at www.standard.co.uk/optimist/let-girls-learn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I explore Central and Northern Iraq, visiting the capital of Baghdad and Mosul. I also enter into Iraqi Kurdistan and visit the city of Erbil, one of the oldest, continually inhabited cities, in the world. As I wrap up my time in this incredible country, hopefully I leave you with some piqued interest and a curiosity into visiting it yourself!

Mehiyar Kathem talks to Mabast Amin, lecturer at the History department, University of Garmian, Iraq about his research which focuses on the early prehistoric sites in Iraqi Kurdistan. Mabast completed a Nahrein Network - British Institute Visiting Scholarship at University of Liverpool. For more information and to access the transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/nahrein/media/podcasts/transcript-conversation-mabast-ali-amin Date of episode recording: 2023-04-01 Duration: 13:10 Language of episode: English Presenter:Mehiyar Kathem Guests: Mabast Amin Producer: Mehiyar Kathem

Kate Adie introduces stories from Iraqi Kurdistan's Yazidi community, the streets of Marseille, the former USSR and the Caribbean island of Nevis. From 2011 to 2017, the Yazidi minority in Iraq lived in terror, as the community was targeted by Islamic State's fighters for especially brutal repression. There were fears of genocide - that the whole community might be wiped out. That didn't happen - but as Rachel Wright has seen, Yazidis who survived captivity and slavery under IS are still finding life extremely tough today, trying to eke out a living in tented cities of refugees. After the mass civil disorder across France, there's passionate debate over the root causes of the revolt on the streets, and what the rioters really wanted. Jenny Hill reports from Marseille on what she heard from residents of the city's vast and decaying Frais Vallon housing project. Ibrat Safo reveals a personal story of childhood in the former USSR - and making contact again with the woman who helped to raise him. His family were Uzbek, while his nanny was of Uzbek and Ukrainian descent. They grew up together speaking Russian in a provincial Soviet town. So when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, he felt an urgent need to track her down, and find out where life has taken her. And Rob Crossan reveals why the Caribbean island of Nevis hasn't turned much of a profit from its connection with one of America's Founding Fathers - the celebrated Alexander Hamilton. Producer: Polly Hope Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith Production Co-Ordinator: Gemma Ashman

Photo: No known restrictions on publication. @Batchelorshow 1900 Rio Grande Valley #Gaza: The IDF firefight with Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Lazar Berman, Times of Israel. Malcolm Hoenlein @Conf_of_pres @mhoenlein1 Lazar Berman- Lazar Berman is the diplomatic correspondent at the Times of Israel, and is a Phd candidate in the War Studies program at King's College London. Prior to this role, he was the Head of Joint Learning at the IDF's General Staff think tank, the Dado Center. During his IDF service, he was an infantry officer in the Givati Brigade and the Bedouin Reconnaissance Battalion, and is currently a reserve captain in the Commando Brigade. Lazar also taught at Salahuddin University in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan. https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-gaza-conflict-militants-rockets-airstrikes-a495136841d4d74af008f5eb3a401066 https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-undeterred-sat-on-the-sidelines-as-islamic-jihad-and-israel-slugged-it-out/

Herds of goats, pomegranate trees in bloom, and ancient architecture are just some of the things you might witness while walking The Abraham Path, a collection of walking trails established in the past fifteen years through parts of Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, and Iraq. But the trail is also engineered for human experiences. Connecting cities and villages, it offers the opportunity to make one-on-one connections in a contested region. It's a kind of subtle peace-building project, but it's also an economic development project, an education project, and more. The path's development, spurred by American peacebuilders, has been met with some skepticism by journalists. But as locals have taken ownership of the trail, a good deal of stories have been published that convey a sense of hope, including a cover story in a travel-themed issue of The New York Times Magazine in April 2022. Our guests for this episode are Joshua Weiss, a peacebuilder and co-founder of The Abraham Path Initiative, and Anisa Mehdi, the Executive Director of the project and a veteran broadcast journalist. This episode originally published in June 2022. Donate to help Abraham Path homestay hosts and guides rebuild in Southeast Turkey and Syria.HOW TO RATE AND/OR REVIEW MAKING PEACE VISIBLEIn Apple Podcasts on iPhone Tap on the show name (Making Peace Visible) to navigate to the main podcast pageScroll down to the "Ratings and Reviews" sectionTo leave a rating only, tap on the starsTo leave a review, tap "Write a Review"In Spotify(Note: Spotify ratings are currently only available on mobile.)Tap on the show name (Making Peace Visible) to navigate to the main podcast pageTap on the star icon under the podcast description to rate the showIn Podcast Addict(Note: you may need to sign in before leaving a review.)From the episode page: On the top left above the show description, click "Post review."From the main podcast pageTap "Reviews" on the top left.On the Reviews page,  tap the icon of a pen and paper in the top right corner of the screen.Making Peace Visible is a project of War Stories Peace Stories. Our mission is to bring journalists and peacebuilders together to re-imagine the way the news media covers peace and conflict, and to facilitate expanded coverage of global peace and reconciliation efforts. Join the conversation on Twitter: @warstoriespeaceMaking Peace Visible is hosted by Jamil Simon, and produced by Andrea Muraskin. Music in this episode is by One Man Book, Doyeq, and Les Portes Du Futur. 

Some Biden administration officials, notably Brett McGurk, White House coordinator for the Middle East, and Amos Hochstein, special presidential coordinator for Global Infrastructure and Energy Security, have been passing through Iraqi Kurdistan, encouraging Iraqi Kurds to sell oil to Turkey while arguing this will bolster US efforts to isolate Russia and Iran. Expert Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former Pentagon official, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why these energy schemes, primarily from officials like Amos Hochstein, are doing not only Iraq, but Iraqi Kurds and US interests from the Middle East to the Eastern Mediterranean a disservice.Read Michael Rubin's latest in the Washington Examiner: State Department does Iraq a disservice with energy schemesYou can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:PM ends talks of elections before EasterDefense ministers agree to keep channels open

On this episode of afikra, Walid Siti shares with us the origins and the stories behind his solemn pieces, from his life in Duhok and Ljubljana, Slovenia, to his start in printmaking, to the creation of works such as the "Seven Towers", "Climbing To Nowhere", and "The Black Tower." We touch upon the themes of large culminating structures, the recurrent climbing in a life, the return to memory, and acknowledgement of change.Walid Siti was born in 1954, in the city of Duhok, in Iraqi-Kurdistan. Formerly trained in printmaking, Siti works extensively in a variety of mediums including video, installation, 3D works, work on paper and painting. His works traverse a complex terrain of memory and loss, while at the same time offering an acute insight into a world, which for him has been a place of constant change.Created by Mikey Muhanna, afikraHosted by Aya NimerEdited by: Ramzi RammanTheme music by: Tarek Yamani https://www.instagram.com/tarek_yamani/About the afikra Conversations:Our long-form interview series features academics, arts, ‎and media experts who are helping document and/or shape the history and culture of the Arab world through their ‎work. Our hope is that by having the guest share their expertise and story, the community still walks away with newfound curiosity - and maybe some good recommendations about new nerdy rabbit holes to dive into headfirst. ‎Following the interview, there is a moderated town-hall-style Q&A with questions coming from the live virtual audience ‎on Zoom.‎ Join the live audience: https://www.afikra.com/rsvp   FollowYoutube - Instagram (@afikra_) - Facebook - Twitter Support www.afikra.com/supportAbout afikra:‎afikra is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region- past, present, and future - through conversations driven by curiosity. Read more about us on  afikra.com 

Gabe talks with Farhad on location in Iraqi Kurdistan about the current state of the Yezidi people.

Gabe talks with Farhad on location in Iraqi Kurdistan about the current state of the Yezidi people.

On COI #348, Kyle Anzalone and Connor Freeman cover the latest escalations in the Ukraine war, the potential for peace talks, as well as growing tensions with Iran and Israel. Kyle breaks down the growing possibility of diplomacy between Kiev and Moscow as Russia withdraws from Kherson and winter approaches. For the first time, it is being reported that the US is exploring some diplomatic options. A meeting regarding New START between Russian and American officials is expected soon. However, the EU has proposed to give $18 billion in budgetary aid to Kiev next year and Ukrainian officials will send a delegation to Washington to ensure money and arms keep flowing post-midterms. Connor discusses the threats of war with Iran emanating from Tel Aviv. The Israelis bombed an Iranian fuel convoy on the Syria-Iraq border, killing at least 10 people. CENTCOM launched warplanes toward Iran over Riyadh's claim that Tehran is preparing to attack Saudi Arabia and Iraqi Kurdistan. Iran has confirmed that it sold drones to Moscow but they claim that was months before the war in Ukraine had begun. Tehran continues to push for talks with Ukraine, and a bilateral meeting almost occurred but was reportedly squashed by the United States and its European allies, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.   Odysee Rumble  Donate LBRY Credits bTTEiLoteVdMbLS7YqDVSZyjEY1eMgW7CP Donate Bitcoin 36PP4kT28jjUZcL44dXDonFwrVVDHntsrk Donate Bitcoin Cash Qp6gznu4xm97cj7j9vqepqxcfuctq2exvvqu7aamz6 Patreon Subscribe Star YouTube Facebook  Twitter  MeWe Apple Podcast  Amazon Music Google Podcasts Spotify iHeart Radio Support Our Sponsor Visit Paloma Verde and use code PEACE for 20% off our CBD

On COI #348, Kyle Anzalone and Connor Freeman cover the latest escalations in the Ukraine war, the potential for peace talks, as well as growing tensions with Iran and Israel. Kyle breaks down the growing possibility of diplomacy between Kiev and Moscow as Russia withdraws from Kherson and winter approaches. For the first time, it is being reported that the US is exploring some diplomatic options. A meeting regarding New START between Russian and American officials is expected soon. However, the EU has proposed to give $18 billion in budgetary aid to Kiev next year and Ukrainian officials will send a delegation to Washington to ensure money and arms keep flowing post-midterms. Connor discusses the threats of war with Iran emanating from Tel Aviv. The Israelis bombed an Iranian fuel convoy on the Syria-Iraq border, killing at least 10 people. CENTCOM launched warplanes toward Iran over Riyadh's claim that Tehran is preparing to attack Saudi Arabia and Iraqi Kurdistan. Iran has confirmed that it sold drones to Moscow but they claim that was months before the war in Ukraine had begun. Tehran continues to push for talks with Ukraine, and a bilateral meeting almost occurred but was reportedly squashed by the United States and its European allies, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.

The BBC's Addis Ababa correspondent Kalkidan Yibeltal tells us about the agreement just reached between the Ethiopian government and officials from the Tigray region, to stop fighting and to allow unhindered humanitarian access. He also reflects on the challenges of reporting the civil war over the last two years. The centenary of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb It's 100 years since the discovery of the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, almost intact and full of treasures, nearly 3-and-a-half thousand years after his death. Angy Ghannam of BBC Monitoring in Cairo tells us how the centenary is being marked in Egypt, and what ordinary Egyptians think of their most famous pharaoh. Vietnam's forgotten veterans Thousands of disabled Vietnamese veterans who fought for the South in the war are living in poor conditions without government support. A Catholic priest who is part of a programme which assists them was recently prevented from leaving the country. MyHang Tran of BBC Vietnamese reports on his problems with the authorities, and the plight of the veterans. The impact of the Iran protests on regional neighbours Since the start of protests in Iran, ethnic tensions have been exacerbated both inside the country and with its neighbours. Kurdish and Azerbaijani populations inside Iran are affected, as are relations with Iraqi Kurdistan and Azerbaijan. BBC Azerbaijani editor Könül Khalilova and Jiyar Gol from BBC Persian discuss recent developments. The aftermath of the Indian bridge collapse Roxy Gagdekar of BBC Gujarati has been reporting from Morbi, where the recent collapse of a pedestrian bridge left at least 135 dead. He shares impressions from two of his reports - one from the site of the bridge collapse, the other from a hospital which was visited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Photo: Redwan Hussein (L), Representative of the Ethiopian government, and Getachew Reda (R), Representative of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), shake hands on a peace agreement between the two parties in Pretoria on November 2, 2022. Credit: Phill Magakoe /AFP/Getty Images)

Welcome everyone! This is Coffee with Catholic Workers, a podcast about and with Catholic Worker folks hosted by Theo and Lydia. Our inaugural guest is Julie Brown joining us from Iraqi Kurdistan to share her compelling story and chat all things Catholic Worker.

Concern is growing about Elnaz Rekabi, the 33-year-old Iranian athlete who competed in South Korea on Sunday without a mandatory hijab. On social media today, Rekabi said there was a problem climbing with the covering, apologized, and said she was returning to Iran. Now rights groups based abroad are raising the alarm about what might happen to her once she's home. It comes amid ongoing protests by Iranian women and male allies, sparked by the death of police custody of Mahsa Amini. Amini was an Iranian Kurd, and that community has borne the brunt of the regime's crackdown. Now some are fleeing across the border to Iraqi Kurdistan and joining armed opposition groups. Correspondent Nima Elbagir traveled there to learn more about this budding insurgency.  Also on today's show: British MP Crispin Blunt, the first Conservative Member of Parliament to call for new Prime Minister Liz Truss' ouster; author Anand Giridharadas; Gina Kim, executive producer of Rising Against Asian Hate: One Day in March.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Russian kamikaze drones hit Kyiv, striking civilian infrastructure and killing at least four people. Also, as the Iranian crackdown on Kurdish protests continues, some Iranian Kurdish women flee to Iraqi-Kurdistan, which has been hit by Iranian missiles over the last month. Also, Donald Trump complained on his social media platform, Trust Social, that U.S. Jews aren't “appreciative” enough of his moves on Israel.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Protests in Iran, following the death in custody of a Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, are now in their fourth week despite the intensifying crackdown. Mahsa became a symbol of Iranian repression after her arrest by the morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab improperly. Anna Foster met members of Mahsa's family who live across the border in Iraqi Kurdistan. In India, a new extremist Hindu movement - made up mostly of young men- is growing. They call themselves “trads”, short for traditionalists, and share many of the hallmarks of America's alt-right movement and mainly operate online. Reha Kansara met one of them on India's southern coast. Rising inflation is now a global problem, but in Argentina it's a way of life. This year has proved particularly challenging in the country as it teeters on the edge of hyperinflation. Jane Chambers was in Buenos Aires recently and spoke to some of the city's residents about how they are managing. A crush at an Indonesian football stadium in Malang West Java which left 131 people dead is being counted as one of the worst stadium disasters in sporting history. There has been public outcry over the incident, with concerns raised about the heavy-handed response of the police and the lack of safety measures in place, says Aliefia Malik. The UK's frosty relationship with the EU has become an almost permanent backdrop since the Brexit referendum. But in recent weeks, the UK's presence at the European Political Community meeting in Prague, along with other signs of cooperation, have raised diplomatic hopes that a thaw was underway. But does this amount to a genuine shift, ask James Landale. Presenter: Kate Adie Producers: Serena Tarling and Ellie House Editor: Bridget Harney Production Coordinator: Iona Hammond

Photo:  Nahal Paran, Negev #Israel: Abraham Accords meeting in the Negev Summit.  Lazar Berman @Lazar_Berman @TimesofIsrael @KingsCollegeLon  is diplomatic correspondent at the Times of Israel. Malcolm Hoenlein @Conf_of_pres @mhoenlein1 https://www.timesofisrael.com/at-negev-summit-allies-calmed-somewhat-by-us-recommitment-to-the-region/ https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-hadera-attack-mood-and-attention-quickly-shifts-at-negev-summit/ https://www.axios.com/negev-summit-isreal-uae-egypt-morocco-blinken-5b6dc3ec-70a2-4396-a5c2-729b0f7a30bb.html Lazar Berman @Lazar_Berman @TimesofIsrael @KingsCollegeLon  is diplomatic correspondent at the Times of Israel, and is a Ph.D. candidate in the War Studies program at King's College London. Formerly, he was head of Joint Learning at the IDF's General Staff think tank, the Dado Center. During his IDF service, he was an infantry officer in the Givati Brigade and the Bedouin Reconnaissance Battalion, and is currently a reserve captain in the Commando Brigade. Lazar also taught at Salahuddin University in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan.

At least 35 people killed and dozens injured in missile attack in Yavoriv. Both sides say talks to try to end the war could make further progress within days. Also: Iran's Revolutionary Guards say they carried out a missile attack near US consulate in Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, American actor William Hurt dies aged 71 and a western takes top honours at Britain's Bafta film awards.

Ukraine says up to 30 Russian missiles were fired at a military training base in the west of the country. We hear from our correspondent in the nearby city of Lviv, and from the mayor of the city, Andriy Sadovyi. Also in the programme, an Iranian attack on the city of Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan. We speak to a journalist in Erbil. (PHOTO: Military Chaplain Nikolay Medynsky reads a prayer before blessing Ukrainian servicemen and their weapons before they go into battle, as Russia"s attack on the Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine, March 13, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Peter)