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 2 Episode 9 - Interview with Dr. Matthew Zais, the former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of International Affairs at the US Department of Energy
This month, the Kurdistan in America podcast is honored to have Dr. Matthew Zais as its guest. Matt is the former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of International Affairs at the US Department of Energy. Currently, he serves as the Vice President of Government Relations at HKN Energy, which has invested in Kurdistan’s oil sector. Matt also served as Iraq Director at the Trump White House National Security Council for two years and the US military for over two decades as a career US Army officer.
Matt shares his insight on the Kurdistan Region’s oil and gas industry as a former US government official and now working in the private sector. He also sheds light on his encounters in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region while serving in the US Army.