The Kurdistan Region - Iraq

The Islamic State (Terrorist Organization)
commentary
How the U.S. Withdrawal from Syria Provides a Boost to ISIS
Colin P. Clarke
Oct 21, 2019
Fox News Channel
President Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria could provide the ISIS terrorist group with the time and space to regrow its organization and extend its networks throughout the Middle East. The longer-term strategic effects of the decision could reverberate in the region for years to come.
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Peacekeeping and Stability Operations
commentary
The Syrian Withdrawal: Where Things Stand
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins, Jeffrey Martini
Oct 21, 2019
Fox News
Without an orderly process for its national security decisions, the Trump administration has defaulted to the worst option regarding Syria. The sudden withdrawal of U.S. forces has left an opening for Russia to exploit. It also left the Kurds, a U.S. partner, to fend off a Turkish assault.
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Peacekeeping and Stability Operations
commentary
Indecision in Washington Compounded the Kurds' Dilemma
James Dobbins @Jim_Dobbins, Jeffrey Martini
Oct 18, 2019
The Hill
Core qualities of statesmanship and statecraft have been notably lacking in charting the U.S. administration's Syria end game. This has compounded the unavoidable costs of withdrawal with charges of betrayal and a retreat under fire.
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commentary
Signs of New Life in Northern Iraq
Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson
Aug 9, 2013
U.S. News & World Report
For a region that has seen decades of strife, Kurdistan is emerging as “the other Iraq,” a place where progress is marked by the opening of new shopping malls and the pouring of concrete at countless construction sites.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Why Erdogan Wants Peace with the PKK
F. Stephen Larrabee
Mar 27, 2013
Foreign Affairs
With the leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) now apparently ready to try to peacefully resolve differences with Turkey, the prospects that the uprising will come to an end have improved, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.
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commentary
Northern Exposure
Cheryl Benard
Apr 7, 2003
Wall Street Journal
Northern Iraq must be handled delicately to avoid additional conflict involving the Kurdish minority.
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Quoted

The very fact that Russia felt the need to resort to overt, large-scale conventional force in Ukraine—despite years of operating there in the gray zone—demonstrates that at least in Russian president Vladimir Putin's mind, these ambiguous uses of force in Ukraine failed to achieve their desired ends.

Raphael S. Cohen

Director, Strategy and Doctrine Program, RAND Project AIR FORCE

Source: The National Interest

Centering Putin's interests and catering to his emotional state violates a fundamental bargaining precept: Never negotiate against yourself. To be clear, it's good to understand your opponent's perspective. But first, negotiate for your interests, not for theirs. Second, learn what they really want before offering concessions. Third, make sure they can actually deliver.

Raymond Kuo

Political Scientist

Source: RealClearDefense

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The Kurdistan Region - Iraq

How the U.S. Withdrawal from Syria Provides a Boost to ISIS

The Syrian Withdrawal: Where Things Stand

Indecision in Washington Compounded the Kurds' Dilemma

Signs of New Life in Northern Iraq

Why Erdogan Wants Peace with the PKK

Northern Exposure

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