Trump’s Withdrawal from Syria Is a Disaster
The president has betrayed America’s friends and sided with its adversaries.
Kurds
Democratic Ideals and Reality: An Enduring Tension
From Catalonia to Cameroon to Kurdistan to Puerto Rico, democratic ideals clash with the realities of geography.
World Won’t Let Catalonia or Kurdistan Come Quietly onto the Map
Independence for Catalonia and Kurdistan would upend the regional order in Europe and the Middle East.
Iraq’s Kurds Deserve the West’s Support for Their Own State
How much longer do they need to wait?
Iraq Takes Similar Approach to Separatist Challenge as Spain
Both governments try to stop independence referendums by legal means. Neither appears to be succeeding.
Trump and the Turks
Evaluating American-Turkish relations in light of Trump’s Middle East visit and the diplomatic isolation of Qatar.
Catalans, Kurds, Given No Other Choice, Announce Referendums
Denied more autonomy by Madrid and Baghdad, the two minorities push for votes on independence.
Erdoğan Discovers Personality Doesn’t Trump Geopolitics
Turkey hoped Donald Trump would be less supportive of the Kurds than Barack Obama. It doesn’t look like it.
Assad Shifts Strategy, Attacks Kurdish Rebel Group in Syria
The Syrian dictator has so far left the Kurds alone. What changed his mind is anyone’s guess.
Kurdish Independence Would Reverberate Across Region
Independence for the Kurds could destabilize Iraq’s neighbors and upset long-standing alliances.
Timing Ideal for Iraq’s Kurds to Declare Independence
Regional factors have arrayed in the Kurds’ favor. Things might not stay the same for long.
Turkey Blames Syrian Kurds, Russia for Ankara Bombing
Turkey accuses a Syrian rebel group for the attacks in its capital and holds Russia responsible as well.
Russia Makes Syrian Puzzle Even More Complicated
By backing the Kurds in Syria, Russia is driving a wedge between Turkey and its NATO allies.
“Era of Sykes-Picot is Over”: Kurdish Leader
Iraq and Syria cannot be put back together again.
Why Turkey Doesn’t Do More to Defeat Islamic State
Turkey’s priorities are suppressing Kurdish nationalism and toppling Bashar Assad in Syria.