International Relations and Diplomacy

Academic Staff

Jan. 16, 2025, 1:52 a.m.
Hawar Khalil Taher
Hawar Khalil Taher Dean of the College of Political Sciences (CPSC)
Assistant Professor (PhD)
Assistant Professor of International Relations

International Relations and Diplomacy
College of Political Sciences
University of Duhok
[email protected]
ADP
Google Scholar

My passion for the Middle East was ignited during my undergraduate studies at Utrecht University in the Netherlands (2002-2005).  This led me to pursue a Master's degree in Middle Eastern Studies at the same institution (2008-2009).  My quest for deeper understanding then took me to Leiden University, where I completed my PhD in International Relations in 2012.  The focus of my doctoral dissertation was the establishment and subsequent fall of a short-lived Kurdish government in Iran in 1946.

For more detail, please visit my Academic Digital Portfolio (ADP)

 

 

For more detail, please visit my Academic Digital Portfolio (ADP)

For more detail, please visit my Academic Digital Portfolio (ADP)

Research

My research interests lie primarily in the areas of Middle Eastern politics, nationalism, the Kurdish question, and international relations.  This webpage showcases some of my recent publications that explore these themes.

  • The Republic of Kurdistan, 1946 (Unpublished PhD Dissertation, Leiden University, 2012): This dissertation delves into a critical juncture in Kurdish history – the establishment and subsequent fall of a short-lived Kurdish government in Iran in 1946.  It examines the role of regional powers, the rise of Kurdish nationalism, and the broader context of the Middle East in the aftermath of World War II.

  • Political Impact of Nationalism Theories on Kurdish Nationalism (Newroz University, 2024): This article explores the theoretical underpinnings of Kurdish nationalism.  I analyse how various theories of nationalism have influenced the Kurdish national movement and its ongoing struggle for self-determination.

  • Characteristics of the Emergence of Nation and Its Impact on Kurdish Nationalism (Journal of University of Duhok, 2022):  This publication examines the concept of nationhood and its historical development.  I then explore how these characteristics have manifested within the Kurdish context and shaped the trajectory of Kurdish nationalism.

 

For more detail, please visit my Academic Digital Portfolio (ADP)

Welcome! I'm Dr. Hawar Khalil Taher, Assistant Professor of Middle Eastern Studies in International Relations at the University of Duhok.  My research focuses on the ever-evolving political landscape of the Middle East, with a particular interest in the Kurdish question, state-society dynamics, and contemporary security issues.

Research Focus

  • Kurdish Nationalism in Iraqi Kurdistan:  Following the 1991 Gulf War, the establishment of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region ushered in a new era for Kurdish self-determination.  My research delves into the evolution of Kurdish nationalism within this context, exploring themes of governance, identity, and the pursuit of greater autonomy.

  • State-Society Relations in Turkey:  Turkey's complex relationship between the state and its citizenry is a topic that continues to fascinate me.  I examine the historical roots of this dynamic, the ongoing tension between secularism and Islam, and the challenges posed by Kurdish nationalism to the Turkish state.

  • Contemporary Security Issues in Kurdistan:  The security situation in Kurdistan is fluid and multifaceted.  My research explores the ongoing fight against ISIS, the evolving role of the Peshmerga (Kurdish military forces), and the broader regional security dynamics that impact Kurdistan.

For more detail, please visit my Academic Digital Portfolio (ADP)

For more detail, please visit my Academic Digital Portfolio (ADP)