Quil Lawrence

25 million Kurds comprise the largest unrecognized nation in the world, spanning the borders of Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Syria. Join us for an evening with Quil Lawrence, as he discusses the Kurdish fight for a state of their own in the midst of an uncertain war in an uncertain time. Lawrence is a reporter ... (more)for the BBC's "The World" and has traveled widely, reporting for the Christian Science Monitor, The Los Angeles Times, and NPR. This event is free and open to the public.

In a sweeping narrative full of insight, authority and compassion Quil Lawrence’s masterfully researched book, Invisible Nation: How the Kurds' Quest for Statehood is Shaping Iraq and the Middle East gives a current history of the Kurds and their quest for statehood. Lawrence, Middle East correspondent ... (more)for the public radio program The World, will give an author talk at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, April 29. A book signing will follow with books provided by New England Mobile Book Fair.

Numbering 25 million, the Kurds remain the largest ethnic group in the world without its own nation. The quest for Kurdish statehood has been a long, brutal struggle that continues despite opposition from Mideastern nations and the U.S. The one segment of the Iraqi population in favor of the U.S. invasion in 2003, the Kurds, are a source of worry to neighboring Turkey, Iran, Syria, and pre- and post-Saddam Iraq; none of whom want an independent Kurdistan that would come at their territorial expense.

Interviewing people from all walks of life, from hitchhikers to Kurds now leading the Iraqi government, such as President Jalal Talabani, Lawrence touches on their concerns, very long and bitter memories, and hopes for the times to come. Invisible Nation is a story not only of Kurdistan, but of Iraq, of the Middle East and of the future. To understand any of those, this book is essential as one of the most important works to emerge from a war that, five years in, remains as unpredictable as when it first started.

"Lawrence delivers a dramatic narrative of the Kurds, focusing on their quest to create a nation and the potential impact on the Middle East. Currently a BBC/PRI foreign correspondent, Lawrence has covered Iraq and Kurdistan for the past seven years."

The Middle East correspondent for the BBC/PRI program "The World" discusses and signs his book. For details or to RSVP, email irp@jhu.edu or call 202-663-7726

Quil Lawrence, Middle East correspondent for BBC/PRI's The World, discusses Iraq's Kurds and their potential impact on the future of Iraq and the Middle East.

D'Alessio Conference Room. Reception 5:30 pm, book signing 7pm. Reception and program $20.