Kurdistan24 Set for International Recognition on 11th Anniversary

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Kurdistan24 and its Washington-based correspondent and bureau chief Rahim Rashidi are set to receive an award at the National Press Club on Nov. 9, according to Sasha Toperich, Executive Vice President of the Transatlantic Leadership Network, who announced the recognition as the broadcaster marked its 11th anniversary.

Toperich made the announcement in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, during a series of anniversary messages from journalists, policy specialists and former American military officials. He said his organization presents awards annually to news outlets and journalists, but did not identify the formal name of this year's distinction.

"Kurdistan 24 and one of your finest, Rahim Rashidi, will be receiving an award at the National Press Club," Toperich said.

He invited viewers to follow the Nov. 9 event and offered congratulations on the broadcaster's anniversary, expressing the hope that its work would continue for many decades.

The announcement was among eight messages recorded in Washington, where speakers focused on Kurdistan24's coverage of American institutions, its reporting for Kurdish audiences and the importance of maintaining reliable international journalism.

Eli Gold, President of the Gold Institute for International Strategy, commended the broadcaster for connecting political and international affairs in Washington with audiences in Kurdistan and across the Kurdish community.

He singled out Rashidi's work at the White House, Pentagon and State Department as an example of the broadcaster's presence at major American institutions.

Gold said President Donald Trump knew Rashidi as "Mr. Kurd" and frequently took questions from him, a characterization he presented as evidence of the correspondent's visibility.

He congratulated Kurdistan24 on 11 years of broadcasting and said he looked forward both to watching its coverage and participating in future programs.

Retired U.S. Army Colonel Myles B. Caggins III recalled his own relationship with Kurdistan24, saying his first television studio interview in the Kurdistan Region took place at its Erbil facilities in 2019.

He said he had subsequently developed friendships with staff in Erbil and abroad, expressing admiration for the organization's journalists.

Caggins also praised the broadcaster's presence in Washington, where he said its journalists cover events involving the U.S. president, Cabinet secretaries and visiting delegations from Iraq.

He opened his message with Kurdish greetings and congratulated the station on "11 years of broadcast and media excellence," wishing it continued success for many years.

Peter Huessy, a Senior Fellow at the Gold Institute and President of Geo-Strategic Analysis, spoke about Kurdistan24's contribution to American understanding of Kurdish affairs.

Huessy, whose work focuses on nuclear weapons, space and energy issues, said he valued opportunities to appear on the broadcaster's programs and discuss developments involving those fields.

He also welcomed what he described as the organization's commitment to Kurdish security and aspirations for independence, alongside maintaining close ties with the United States.

Huessy thanked Kurdistan24 for helping American audiences better understand developments affecting Kurdistan and its people.

Other Washington correspondents offered congratulations based on their professional encounters with the station's journalists.

Michail Ignatiou, a Greek correspondent covering Greek, Turkish, Cypriot, Israeli and Egyptian affairs at the White House, wished the organization continued success and said he hoped its reporters would secure "many, many exclusives from the White House."

Alana Austin, who covers the White House and Congress for Newsmax, described Kurdistan24's Washington reporting as important for bringing Kurdish perspectives into coverage of U.S. relations with the Middle East.

She praised its correspondents for addressing issues affecting the Kurdish people and covering developments concerning the relationship between the United States and countries across the region.

"Thank you for all you do," Austin said, acknowledging the work of Kurdistan24 journalists in Washington.

Macy Gunnell, the White House correspondent for News Force, similarly emphasized the presence of international media in Washington.

Referring to Rashidi by the nickname used by several speakers, she said, "It's absolutely incredible to see Mr. Kurd here at the White House."

Gunnell said working alongside him illustrated the importance of allowing journalists from different countries and communities to have a voice at the White House.

She congratulated Kurdistan24 on reaching its 11th anniversary and expressed appreciation for her professional relationship with Rashidi, adding that she would continue following the broadcaster's work.

Saurabh Shukla, founder and Editor-in-Chief of NewsMobile, delivered his message from the White House press room.

He praised Rashidi's participation in briefings and his questions to American officials, while emphasizing the importance of accurate reporting.

Shukla urged Kurdistan24 to "make sure that you always do verified news reportage and keep the world informed."

His remarks placed particular emphasis on verification and journalistic responsibility, alongside the congratulations expressed by other international correspondents and policy specialists.

The Washington messages coincided with anniversary commemorations in the Kurdistan Region and beyond.

Founded in Erbil on Oct. 31, 2015, during the war against ISIS and a period of severe financial pressure, Kurdistan24 began broadcasting at a time when Peshmerga forces were engaged in fighting the terrorist organization.

The institution subsequently expanded its operations through television, radio and multilingual digital platforms, providing political, security, economic and social coverage for audiences in Kurdistan and internationally.

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and other officials marked the anniversary by recalling the broadcaster's reporting from the Peshmerga front lines and its role in bringing developments in the Kurdistan Region to international audiences.

Iraqi officials, diplomats, professional organizations and community representatives also offered messages addressing its journalistic responsibilities and coverage of political, cultural and social affairs.

As Kurdistan24 enters its 12th year, the organization has reaffirmed its commitment to verifying information before publication, protecting human dignity and privacy, and confronting misinformation, including material generated through artificial intelligence.

It has also outlined plans to strengthen its digital platforms and invest in the professional development of younger journalists.

The announced Nov. 9 ceremony at the National Press Club will be the next occasion for international recognition highlighted during the anniversary messages, with Toperich specifically naming Kurdistan24 and Rahim Rashidi as the intended award recipients.