AdvertisementAfter Iraqi Kurdish Independence Vote Backfires, 'I Do Not Regret It,' Says BarzaniNovember 07, 2017Jane ArraffacebookEmailMasoud Barzani stepped down last week as president of Iraq's Kurdistan regional government. The independence referendum he pushed through resulted in a military attack by Iraqi forces. But, he tells NPR, "I am very proud that we have given the opportunity for the Kurdish people to express their vote." He says the region will reassess its relationship with the U.S. (NPR)