Kurdistan in America
The Kurdistan in America podcast is the official voice of the Kurdistan Regional Government Representation in the United States, headquartered in Washington, DC. Hosted by Delovan Barwari, the show explores the enduring ties between Kurdistan and the United States.
Now in its fifth season, this English-language podcast focuses on U.S. foreign policy and the Kurdistan Region, covering key topics such as security, politics, humanitarian affairs, economic development, culture, and the arts.
We’re proud to share that Kurdistan in America was ranked the #1 Kurdish podcast of 2025 by Feedspot and was previously listed among the 20 Best Government Relations Podcasts of 2021 by Welp Magazine.
Learn more at us.gov.krd
Kurdistan in America
Season 3 Episode 6 - Interview with General Hazhar Ismail, Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs
The Kurdistan in America podcast is honored to have Brigadier General Hazhar Ismail as our guest in the sixth episode of Season Three.
General Hazhar Ismael is a Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs. He followed in his father's footsteps by joining the peshmerga forces three decades ago. He helped establish the Freedom Battalion, the first Iraqi battalion created after the liberation of Iraq in 2003. He is also a co-founder and member of the Management Board of the Peshmerga Reform Program. He served as the KRG's representative for security and defense issues in the US-Iraq strategic dialogue.
The discussion focuses on the ongoing Peshmerga reform program, the state of coordination and collaboration between the Iraqi Army and Peshmerga forces especially in the disputed areas, the US-Iraq strategic dialogue, and his experience in the Peshmerga forces.
General Hazhar Ismail obtained a bachelor's degree from the Zakho Military College in 1995 and a master's degree from the Joint Staff College in Baghdad in 2006, and graduated from the US Army War College in 2013. He is married and is the father of three sons and a daughter.