About Us

At the heart of KPAC’s mission is reinforcing the critical Kurdish-US alliance. Mr. Qanbar is committed to informing the American people and their representatives about the necessity of a robust strategic partnership. He envisions transforming the Peshmerga, the Kurdish military forces, into a modern military powerhouse, ensuring stability and security in the region.

Mr. Qanbar’s life journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication to his principles. He began his career in civil engineering in Iraq, serving as an Officer and Project Engineer in the Iraqi Air Force. His firsthand experience of imprisonment and torture under Saddam Hussein’s regime has instilled in him a profound appreciation for democracy, freedom, and free speech, values he wholeheartedly embraces in America.

Upon moving to the United States, Mr. Qanbar continued to excel. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Baghdad University in 1980 and two Master’s Degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Rhode Island in 1994 and the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1999. His academic achievements are a testament to his commitment to excellence. Currently, Mr. Qanbar is pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Statecraft and National Security at the Institute of World Politics in Washington, DC.

Throughout his graduate studies, Mr. Qanbar worked alongside the late Dr. Ahmed Chalabi and the Iraqi National Congress (INC) in Washington, lobbying Congress to support the Iraq Liberation Act (ILA). His efforts played a pivotal role in securing the ILA’s passage in October 1998, which pledged to the overthrow of Saddam’s Ba’ath dictatorship regime and support the Iraqi people’s quest for freedom and democracy.

In 1999, Mr. Qanbar became a proud citizen of the United States, solidifying his commitment to the nation’s values and ideals.

In 2000, Mr. Qanbar opened the INC office in Washington, D.C., funded by Congress under the Iraq Liberation Act. He served as a liaison with the White House and the Pentagon, overseeing the training of hundreds of Free Iraqi Forces (FIF) and organizing opposition activities to expose crimes and human rights violations by Saddam Hussein’s regime.

In 2003, Mr. Qanbar became the FIF liaison officer with CENTCOM in Qatar during Operation Iraqi Freedom, coordinating the airlift of Free Iraqi Forces and contributing to Iraq’s liberation. He later served as Deputy and Spokesperson for Ahmad Chalabi, contributing to the writing of the Transitional Authority Law and the Iraqi Constitution.

Mr. Qanbar participated in writing the Iraqi constitution, a unique historical experience that gave him insight into the formation of the new post-2003 Iraq.

Mr. Qanbar’s diplomatic prowess led to his nomination as Deputy Military Attaché at the Embassy of Iraq in Washington, D.C., where he strengthened US-Iraqi military cooperation and organized high-profile state visits.

In the face of adversity, Mr. Qanbar tirelessly sought support from U.S. government agencies and the military to rescue his nephew, U.S. Army Corporal Ahmed Al Taie, kidnapped by Iranian-backed militias in 2006.

Mr. Qanbar’s media expertise and decades of experience in a wide variety of interviews and speeches led him to establish and manage Asia TV in Beirut, Lebanon. His appearances on global television networks have amplified his message and advocacy.