Diyar Kurda

Diyar Kurda (Kurdish: دیار کوردە ; born 2 February 1990) is an Iraqi-Kurdish journalist and Washington D.C. Bureau Chief for Rudaw Media Network. ^[4][5]

He was born in the city of Rwandiz in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. In 2015, he joined Rudaw as an Editor at the International Desk and later in July, 2020 became the head of the planning department at the same company. In 2022, he moved to Washington D.C. and now he is the Washington D.C. Bureau Chief of Rudaw.^[6][7]

Diyar is currently covering both the State Department and the White House^[8].^[9] He regularly attends the State Department Press Briefings and asks questions on the Middle East, Iraq, Syria, Iran and Kurdish issues in the region.^{[10] [11]}

Diyar is an active member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), White House Correspondent Association and the U.S. National Press Club^[12] which is a professional organization and social community in Washington, D.C. for journalists and communications professionals.

In May 2025, Diyar elected as a member at large at the White House Foreign Group Media^[13], a group of journalists that represents the largest number of foreign correspondents working at the White House in Washington, D.C. The mission of WHFMG is to promote collaboration and safeguard press freedom for members of the international media reporting from the White House briefing room. In addition, WHFMG serves as a point of contact with the U.S. administration to advocate for the professional interests of foreign journalists covering the White House.

During his time working as a journalist in Washington has conducted many interviews with current and former U.S. officials on the Middle East and Iraq, including Jhon Kirby,^[14] United States National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications , General Pat Ryder,^[15] Pentagon Spokesperson, Jhon Bolton, Former National Security Advisor, Geoffrey Pyatt,^[16] US Assistant Secretary of State, Victoria Tayler, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iraq and Iran affairs, Andrew Plitt, Senior USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Middle East Region, Karen Chandler, the Director of the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM). He also has interviewed many members of U.S. House^[17] of Representatives and Senate.^[18]

In October 2024, the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the USA (AFPC-USA) recognized Kurda as one of the best Middle East correspondents based in the United States for his outstanding and effective reporting. U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Alina L. Romanowski, congratulated him, acknowledging his contributions to a free press.^[19][20][21]

National Press Club (United States) President will recognize journalist and communicator members for outstanding service to the Club at the Vivian Awards ceremony in December each year. Diyar Kurda received 2024 Vivian Award for his efforts and support of the National Press Club - International Correspondent Committee.^[22]