Pity the Kurds

Chris Hedges / Truthdig Oct 21, 2019 Donald Trump’s betrayal of our allies in northern Syria is part of a pattern by nation-states that have used the Kurds and abandoned them. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Syrian Kurds Ask Assad to Save Them From Turkey

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Jan 26, 2018 The hopes of the Trump administration to use the Syrian Kurds as a wedge against the government of Bashar Assad in Damascus may be rapidly fading. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

America’s Syria Trap

Maj. Danny Sjursen / Truthdig Jan 24, 2018 Once again, the United States is in the middle of a byzantine quagmire in the Middle East that could get worse. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Turkey Begins Military Operation Against U.S.-Allied Kurds in Syria

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Jan 20, 2018 The move comes after the U.S. announces it will arm and train a Kurdish force to police Syria’s borders to ensure Islamic State does not re-emerge. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Beware of Kurdish Blowback

Maj. Danny Sjursen / Truthdig Dec 1, 2017 The U.S. is about to sell out the Kurds. The next time we need loyal allies in the Middle East, don’t be surprised to hear crickets. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Kurdistan’s President Massoud Barzani Gambled It All and Lost

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Oct 29, 2017 First, the region's independence vote was ordered annulled by Iraq's prime minister. Now, Barzani has announced he will not run for re-election. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Iraqi Prime Minister Insists Kurdish Referendum Be Annulled

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Oct 27, 2017 The Kurds' leader, Massoud Barzani, had offered to suspend the results of the recent independence vote, but Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi is playing hardball. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Is Nationalism Fracturing Our Planet?

John Feffer / TomDispatch Oct 25, 2017 Across the United States, Europe and the Middle East, unitary states are splintering under the leadership of divisive nationalist demagogues. Dig deeper ( 13 Min. Read )

Iraqis Sweep Away Last Resistance in Kirkuk Province

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Oct 21, 2017 Meanwhile, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the foremost Iraqi clerical leader, asks his government to protect Kurdish civilians. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

In Absence of U.S. Leadership, War Breaks Out Between Kurds and Baghdad

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Oct 16, 2017 On Sunday night, artillery duels broke out between Iraqi army forces and Kurdish Peshmerga paramilitary personnel to the south of the city of Kirkuk. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

A Tiny Crack in the Wall Against Kurdish Independence?

Scott Ritter / Truthdig Oct 10, 2017 A recent referendum is seen as a wake-up call to Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria that the longtime issue must be addressed. Dig deeper ( 6 Min. Read )

Iraqi Court Strikes Down Kurdistan Referendum

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Sep 19, 2017 Kurdistan Regional Government President Massoud Barzani says he will power through the referendum despite protests. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )