Guest Lecture: Exploring Kurdistan Region’s Relations with its Neighbors

The American University of Kurdistan’s Center for Peace and Human Security (CPHS) continued its series of guest lectures on various political, economic, and environmental topics, with a presentation by Prof. David Romano, Missouri State University on January 30.  The lecture was titled “Kurdistan Region’s Relations with Neighboring Countries”.

Dr. Jiyar Aghapouri, Director of the CPHS at AUK, opened the event highlighting the importance of inviting prominent international speakers. He stated, “These lectures from our esteemed guests are extremely valuable for our AUK students, as they offer a wealth of practical knowledge beyond what is typically covered in the classroom.”

Prof. David Romano’s lecture focused on the foreign policy imperatives of Kurdistan’s neighboring countries, shedding light on the complexities of regional dynamics and their implications for the Kurdistan Region. Throughout the lecture, Prof. Romano focused on historical contexts and contemporary challenges, including key factors influencing diplomatic interactions, including geopolitical interests and economic considerations.

When asked to share how his recent invitation to be a part of the guest lecture series organized by CPHS differed from his previous visits to AUK, he responded: “I’ve always admired the dedication to excellence at this institution, both locally and potentially globally. I’ve had the privilege of attending important events like the Middle East Peace Summit, which was truly memorable. However, being asked by Dr. Jiyar to kick off the CPHS guest lecture series felt special. It’s a great honor to be the first guest speaker, and I’m always excited to be involved”.

Launched in 2023, the lecture series serves as a pivotal component of CPHS’ outreach initiatives. CPHS is committed to continuing these engagements to ensure its sustained impact on the community.