A Conversation with H.E. Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

We are delighted to host H.E. Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, hosted jointly by the Atlantic Council and the United States Institute of Peace on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Atlantic Council (1030 15th Street, NW, 12th floor).

President Barzani's visit to Washington-his first in three years-comes at a critical moment. The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is fighting a full-fledged war against ISIS, while at the same time grappling with a gruesome refugee crisis and severe financial difficulties. The KRI's complex relations with Turkey and Iran, as well as with the Iraqi central government, are challenging as well. The region has significant oil and gas wealth, yet has struggled to monetize it because of disagreements with Baghdad over energy development strategy, revenue sharing, export policy, and other issues of state sovereignty.

The President will address the questions at the crux of these issues: What is the future of Iraqi Kurdistan and the region viewed from Erbil? What are the challenges and priorities of Iraqi Kurdistan in the war against ISIS? What are the key issues in US-KRG relations?

After President Barzani's keynote address, Ambassador William Taylor, Acting Executive Vice President of USIP will moderate a discussion with the President.

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