The Kurdish people have played an important role in the history and politics of the Middle East, while their relationship with the United States has evolved through decades of regional conflict, cooperation, and changing geopolitical priorities. This panel will examine the recent history of U.S. engagement with the Kurdish people, U.S. policy toward Kurdistan, and the political challenges facing Kurdish communities across the Middle East. The speakers will also consider what recent developments in the region may mean for the future of the Kurdish people.
The conversation will also bring the discussion closer to home by exploring the Kurdish- American experience. The panel will discuss the establishment and growth of Kurdish communities in the United States and the contributions Kurdish Americans make to the cultural, economic, and civic life of their communities. With Nashville home to a significant Kurdish community, the discussion will connect international affairs with Tennessee, offering perspectives on how developments in the Middle East resonate within our own community.
Tuesday, November 3 I 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
* Luncheon Event *
Venue:
1221 Broadway, Suite 1300, Nashville, TN 37203
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Featured Moderator: Dr. Breck Walker
Breck Walker pursued a twenty-year career in international business, law, and finance before turning to academia. For several years, he taught foreign policy courses at Sewanee, The University of the South, and worked as a contract historian for the Office of the Secretary of Defense Historical Office, researching and writing on early Pentagon policies in the computer security and cyber areas. Dr. Walker is currently retired.
Featured Panelist: Tabeer Taabur (President, Tennessee Kurdish Community Council)
Tabeer Taabur is a community leader, advocate, and public servant dedicated to strengthening the visibility, well-being, and civic engagement of Kurdish and New American communities in Tennessee. With a master’s degree in Criminal Justice and Public Administration, Tabeer serves as President of the Tennessee Kurdish Community Council, where he promotes cultural preservation, community unity, youth and family engagement, and greater Kurdish representation in civic life. He also serves on the New Americans Advisory Council Committee and the Nashville PBS Community Advisory Board, contributing his perspective to efforts that advance inclusion, access, and diverse representation. A committed advocate for the Kurdish community, Tabeer works with policymakers, civic leaders, and community partners to raise awareness of Kurdish history, culture, human rights, and democratic aspirations while fostering constructive U.S.–Kurdish relations.
Featured Panelist: LT COL Michael Trotter (CENTCOM Theater Engagement and Regional Expertise Instructor, 5th Special Forces Group Airborne)
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Trotter retired in 2016 after 24 years of service with the US Army as a Special Forces Officer. His Army assignments included more than seven years of deployments to the CENTCOM AOR and eight combat tours. Since retirement, he has served as an Instructor for the CENTCOM Special Operations Forces Theater Engagement Course at the US Air Force Special Operations School at Hurlburt Field, Florida, and as an Instructor with the NATO Special Operations School at Chievres Air Base in Belgium. He currently serves as the CENTCOM Theater Engagement and Regional Expertise Instructor for the 5 th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He is married to RuthAnn Trotter, and they have two children, Jack (23) and Annaleigh (19).
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