The Battle for Eurasia
China, Russia, and their autocratic friends are leading another epic clash over the world’s largest landmass.
List of Kurdistan articles
![The-Negotiators-podcast-series-1500x1000-site (1)]()
The-Negotiators-podcast-series-1500x1000-site (1)
The Negotiators Podcast: How A Finish Diplomat Negotiated the Release of Mothers and Children from Syria
Jussi Tanner spent nearly two years bargaining with the Kurdish-led autonomous government.
![Protest in Karbala, Iraq.]()
Protest in Karbala, Iraq.
After Afghanistan Collapse, Iraqis Fear They Could Be Next
The parallels are easy to list.
![Members of the Kurdish Women's Protection Units arrive on the front lines in the eastern outskirts of Raqqa on July 18, 2017.]()
Members of the Kurdish Women's Protection Units arrive on the front lines in the eastern outskirts of Raqqa on July 18, 2017.
The Women Who Helped Topple the Caliphate
“The Daughters of Kobani” chronicles the female Kurdish fighters who battled terrorists, fought for equality, and then got stabbed in the back.
![Members of the Iraqi Kurdish security forces stand guard at a checkpoint in Altun Kupri, 25 miles south of Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq on Oct. 16, 2017.]()
Members of the Iraqi Kurdish security forces stand guard at a checkpoint in Altun Kupri, 25 miles south of Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq on Oct. 16, 2017.
Iraqi Kurds Turn Against the PKK
Now that it’s beaten back the Islamic State, the Kurdistan Regional Government is focusing its attention on a group it has long tolerated.
![U.S. forces patrol the area of the town of Tel Tamer, in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province on Aug. 17.]()
U.S. forces patrol the area of the town of Tel Tamer, in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province on Aug. 17.
The United States Can Counter Putin and Assad With a Light Footprint in Syria
Washington can reduce Moscow’s influence and support Kurdish allies without a large troop presence in the region.
![Women and children walk inside the Kurdish-run al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria on Jan. 14, where families of Islamic State foreign fighters are held.]()
Women and children walk inside the Kurdish-run al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria on Jan. 14, where families of Islamic State foreign fighters are held.
Foreign ISIS Children Deserve a Home
Western governments have shirked their responsibilities for far too long.
![A young Iraqi protesting against corruption, unemployment, and failing public services in Baghdad, on Oct. 2, 2019.]()
A young Iraqi protesting against corruption, unemployment, and failing public services in Baghdad, on Oct. 2, 2019.
The U.S.-Iraqi Relationship Is Coming to a Head—and That’s a Good Thing
After 17 years, there is little love left between Washington and Baghdad. Upcoming talks may be the last opportunity to save their dysfunctional partnership.
![tessa-fox-northeast-syria-looting]()
tessa-fox-northeast-syria-looting
Who Exactly Is Turkey Resettling in Syria?
Ankara claims it’s helping displaced Syrians return home. Kurds and international observers accuse Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government of demographic engineering.
![Turkish-backed Syrian Arab fighters man a checkpoint in the Kurdish-majority city of Afrin in northern Syria after seizing control of it from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) on March 18, 2018.]()
Turkish-backed Syrian Arab fighters man a checkpoint in the Kurdish-majority city of Afrin in northern Syria after seizing control of it from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) on March 18, 2018.
The Fight for ISIS’s Old Territory Is Just Beginning
A host of forces including Turkish and Iranian proxies to Russian troops and Syrian government forces are jockeying for control of the lands that once were held by the Islamic State.
![U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley hold a news conference at the Pentagon on Oct. 28.]()
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley hold a news conference at the Pentagon on Oct. 28.
The United States Can’t Have It All
The debacle over Syria shows that neither party understands the country’s real goals in the Middle East—or what it would take to achieve them.
![Smoke rises from an Israeli army post blown away by army engineers near the town of Zarit on the Israeli-Lebanese border on May 16, 2000, as part of the preparation for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.]()
Smoke rises from an Israeli army post blown away by army engineers near the town of Zarit on the Israeli-Lebanese border on May 16, 2000, as part of the preparation for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.
Israel’s Occupation of Lebanon Failed. Turkey’s Invasion of Syria Probably Will, Too.
Safe zones rarely bring security benefits, and the Turkish incursion in northern Syria risks ending the same way as Israel’s disastrous occupation of southern Lebanon.
![Turkish-backed Syrian fighters patrol the northern Syrian Kurdish town of Tal Abyad on the border with Turkey on Oct. 31.]()
Turkish-backed Syrian fighters patrol the northern Syrian Kurdish town of Tal Abyad on the border with Turkey on Oct. 31.
The Kurds Are the Nation-State’s Latest Victims
The global order has been stuck with states since 1648. It’s time to move on.
![A member of the Kurdish internal security services known as Asayish stands guard during a demonstration by Syrian Kurds against the Turkish assault on northeastern Syria and in support of the Syrian Democratic Forces, in Syria's northeastern city of Qamishli on Oct. 28, 2019.]()
A member of the Kurdish internal security services known as Asayish stands guard during a demonstration by Syrian Kurds against the Turkish assault on northeastern Syria and in support of the Syrian Democratic Forces, in Syria's northeastern city of Qamishli on Oct. 28, 2019.
Inside the Iran Hawks’ Doomed Campaign to Stay in Syria
Senior U.S. officials fought to reverse Trump’s withdrawal, with disastrous consequences for the Kurds.
![A Russian military police armored personnel carrier drives past an equestrian statue of Bassel al-Assad, the late brother of President Bashar al-Assad, in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli on Oct. 24.]()
A Russian military police armored personnel carrier drives past an equestrian statue of Bassel al-Assad, the late brother of President Bashar al-Assad, in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli on Oct. 24.
Russia Is the Only Winner in Syria
With Washington’s policy in chaos and Erdogan moving into Putin’s orbit, Moscow has come out on top.
![Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during a joint press conference following their talks in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi on Oct. 22.]()
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during a joint press conference following their talks in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi on Oct. 22.
Putin and Erdogan’s Deal for Syria Can’t Last
Since neither leader can enforce the terms, the country’s war will wear on.
![Mourners attend the funeral of three Syrian Democratic Forces fighters killed in battles against Turkey-led forces in the Syrian Kurdish town of Qamishli on Oct. 24.]()
Mourners attend the funeral of three Syrian Democratic Forces fighters killed in battles against Turkey-led forces in the Syrian Kurdish town of Qamishli on Oct. 24.
Russian Military Police Deploy in Northern Syria
In Washington, a Kurdish leader accused the Trump administration of misleading her people.
![Turkish riot police clash with demonstrators protesting Turkey's crackdown on Kurdish mayors, in Istanbul on Aug. 24.]()
Turkish riot police clash with demonstrators protesting Turkey's crackdown on Kurdish mayors, in Istanbul on Aug. 24.
Turkey’s Crackdown on Kurdish Mayors Could Backfire
The country’s offensive in northern Syria was preceded by the suppression of the Kurdish political movement at home.
![U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he arrives at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth in Texas on Oct. 17.]()
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he arrives at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth in Texas on Oct. 17.
America’s Syria Debacle Is Not Trump’s Alone
By going along with the myth that the president is pulling out of the Middle East, his critics are helping make U.S. wars there worse.
![Turkish soldiers secure a road before army tanks start moving toward the Syrian border in Ceylanpinar, Turkey, on Oct. 18.]()
Turkish soldiers secure a road before army tanks start moving toward the Syrian border in Ceylanpinar, Turkey, on Oct. 18.
Trump Can Forget Burden Sharing Now
By abandoning the Kurds in Syria, Trump has undermined one of his central foreign policies.
![Turkish-backed Syrian fighters drive into northern Syria.]()
Turkish-backed Syrian fighters drive into northern Syria.
Fighting Continues in Syria Despite Cease-Fire Agreement
The tentative agreement negotiated by the United States was seen as a major victory for Ankara.
The Negotiators Podcast: How A Finish Diplomat Negotiated the Release of Mothers and Children from Syria
Jussi Tanner spent nearly two years bargaining with the Kurdish-led autonomous government.
After Afghanistan Collapse, Iraqis Fear They Could Be Next
The parallels are easy to list.
The Women Who Helped Topple the Caliphate
“The Daughters of Kobani” chronicles the female Kurdish fighters who battled terrorists, fought for equality, and then got stabbed in the back.
Iraqi Kurds Turn Against the PKK
Now that it’s beaten back the Islamic State, the Kurdistan Regional Government is focusing its attention on a group it has long tolerated.
The United States Can Counter Putin and Assad With a Light Footprint in Syria
Washington can reduce Moscow’s influence and support Kurdish allies without a large troop presence in the region.
Foreign ISIS Children Deserve a Home
Western governments have shirked their responsibilities for far too long.
The U.S.-Iraqi Relationship Is Coming to a Head—and That’s a Good Thing
After 17 years, there is little love left between Washington and Baghdad. Upcoming talks may be the last opportunity to save their dysfunctional partnership.
Who Exactly Is Turkey Resettling in Syria?
Ankara claims it’s helping displaced Syrians return home. Kurds and international observers accuse Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government of demographic engineering.
The Fight for ISIS’s Old Territory Is Just Beginning
A host of forces including Turkish and Iranian proxies to Russian troops and Syrian government forces are jockeying for control of the lands that once were held by the Islamic State.
The United States Can’t Have It All
The debacle over Syria shows that neither party understands the country’s real goals in the Middle East—or what it would take to achieve them.
Israel’s Occupation of Lebanon Failed. Turkey’s Invasion of Syria Probably Will, Too.
Safe zones rarely bring security benefits, and the Turkish incursion in northern Syria risks ending the same way as Israel’s disastrous occupation of southern Lebanon.
The Kurds Are the Nation-State’s Latest Victims
The global order has been stuck with states since 1648. It’s time to move on.
Inside the Iran Hawks’ Doomed Campaign to Stay in Syria
Senior U.S. officials fought to reverse Trump’s withdrawal, with disastrous consequences for the Kurds.
Russia Is the Only Winner in Syria
With Washington’s policy in chaos and Erdogan moving into Putin’s orbit, Moscow has come out on top.
Putin and Erdogan’s Deal for Syria Can’t Last
Since neither leader can enforce the terms, the country’s war will wear on.
Russian Military Police Deploy in Northern Syria
In Washington, a Kurdish leader accused the Trump administration of misleading her people.
Turkey’s Crackdown on Kurdish Mayors Could Backfire
The country’s offensive in northern Syria was preceded by the suppression of the Kurdish political movement at home.
America’s Syria Debacle Is Not Trump’s Alone
By going along with the myth that the president is pulling out of the Middle East, his critics are helping make U.S. wars there worse.
Trump Can Forget Burden Sharing Now
By abandoning the Kurds in Syria, Trump has undermined one of his central foreign policies.
Fighting Continues in Syria Despite Cease-Fire Agreement
The tentative agreement negotiated by the United States was seen as a major victory for Ankara.
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