How did an historic ceasefire in the Middle East impact Nashville? Plus, the local news for Aug. 20, 2025.
My meeting with the first female mayor of Halabja, Kurdistan
My first impression of Halabja is of narrow, mostly empty streets; I imagine everyone is inside somewhere, out of the blazing sun. I have a chance to interview Mayor Nuxsha Nasih, who made headlines in 2016 when she became the first woman to be appointed mayor here.
A road trip through Iraqi Kurdistan: checkpoints and deep political divides
Halabja is known for its excellent pomegranates, but it is best known as the site of a devastating 1988 chemical attack that killed thousands of Kurdish civilians, and injured thousands more.
Introducing ‘The Country In Our Hearts’ podcast series
In 1988, hundreds of thousands of Kurds fled northern Iraq as Saddam Hussein’s armies hunted them down. Many ended up in Nashville, making this southern city home to the largest Kurdish community in America.
Liquor stores and LED crosses
I spent my first few mornings in Erbil taking long walks, trying to explore my new neighborhood before the full heat of the day.
Welcome to the Classy Hotel Ankawa
In this first travelogue from WPLN’s Rose Gilbert, we arrive with her in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, for her five-week reporting trip.
This Nashville asylum seeker faced prison for a tweet. Trump’s executive order jeopardizes his future.
The family came to Nashville as asylum seekers about two years ago. Now, they are among thousands facing an uncertain future.
‘USA, defend your Kurdish allies!’ Nashville’s Kurdish community outraged following Turkish attacks on Syrian Kurds
The Kurdish forces in Syria have been the United States’ main partner in the fight against ISIS. However, the United States and Turkey are also allies, which makes things complicated.
This Kurdish Nashvillian supports Trump. The reason is rooted in history.
During his first term in office, Donald Trump had a complicated track record when it came to Kurdistan. Following his reelection, a politically engaged member of Nashville’s Kurdish community weighs in.
Two Nashville restaurants make coveted New York Times list
The New York Times’ much-anticipated, annual restaurant list dropped Tuesday. And of the 50 featured spots from across the country, two Tennessee establishments made the cut.
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